Joan Garcia, player of the match between the posts
There are games in which a player's performance is vital in picking up points. That was exactly the case on Sunday in Vallecas in Barça's 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano with goalkeeper Joan Garcia making several vital saves to prevent the home side taking all three points.
Away at Rayo Vallecano is never an early fixture and Iñigo Pérez's team proved another stern test for the blaugranes. The home side had chances to win the game but a spectacular performance from the Barça keeper foiled them at every turn.
Decisive towards the end
The Catalan keeper started his recital early with a vital stop from Ratiu from just six yards out in the 12th minute of the game.
It was the first of four excellent saves from Joan Garcia during the game. In the 67th minute he could do nothing to stop Fran Pérez's equaliser but with just five minutes left the blaugrana made a great stop to deny Isi Palazón and in the 89th his double save from Fran Pérez virtually assured Hansi Flick's team a share of the points.
"He put in a fantastic performances and earned us a point," said coach Hansi Flick after the game of his goalkeeper, a new face who looks to be an excellent addition to the German's squad for 2025/26.