Another away trip for Barça on Sunday, this time to the Vallecas stadium to play Rayo Vallecano in the LaLiga matchday three game (kick-off 9.30pm CEST). It also brings August to a close and completes the third consecutive away game to start the season. The aim is of course another win in the same fixture as last season in gameweek three to go into the international break with an unblemished record.

Same again please

As well as another three points to make it nine from three games, winning at the Vallecas stadium would repeat the win last season when Flick's side left with a 1-2 victory, after coming back from being a goal down. A win would be the second in a row at the Vallecas stadium and fourth since Íñígo Pérez took over at Rayo in February 2024.

Time to maintain the momentum

Barça are unstoppable at the moment and Flick's imprint from last season remains. After two wins in two games against Mallorca and Levante, the blaugranes want the next win to maintain the momentum, especially as the first three LaLiga games have had to be played away.

A victory would keep the run going, but Barça have already shown they can react to adversity, coming back from 2-0 against Levante at the Ciutat de València stadium to win 2-3 and make it now ten comebacks under Flick.

Rayo in Europe

Rayo have already seen plenty of action prior to this match. They defeated Neman 4-0 at the Vallecas stadium on Thursday to confirm their place in the league phase of the Conference League. When it comes to LaLiga, the Madrid-based side have three points from six, after beating Girona but losing to Athletic Club.

De Frutos and Álvaro García the Rayo threats

Barça will have to watch De Frutos and Álvaro García in attack, as both are danger men for Rayo and led the attack last season, De Frutos top scoring with six, while Álvaro García got four.

The latter will have to be watched as Barça (along with Mallorca) are his favourite side to score against, having scored three in nine against the blaugranes. Both forwards have already scored this season in LaLiga, against Girona, as well as in the Conference League, with Álvaro García getting two and De Frutos one in the aforementioned match.

So it looks like an interesting game is ahead, with both teams looking to close out August and go into the international break in positive fashion. Just waiting for kick-off now!

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