Last match before the international break. With the positive vibes from the wonderful win against Newcastle that confirmed a place in the Champions League quarterfinals still reverberating, it's time to focus on LaLiga once again. Barça are back at the Spotify Camp Nou for a tough match against Rayo Vallecano (22/03 kick-off 2.00pm CET) to fulfil the matchday 29 fixture of a competition the blaugranes continue to lead by four points.

Both teams still in Europe

If Flick's side want to go into the international break with the momentum maintained, they will have to overcome the side from Madrid, who had their own European commitment this week on Thursday. Despite losing at home to Turkish side Samsunspor, they sealed qualification for the Conference League quarterfinals courtesy of having won away in the first leg (1-3). Both sides come into the game after midweek exertions then, but it's definitely worth digging deep to get the three points.

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Spotify Camp Nou still impregnable

Spotify Camp Nou can play a key role in the quest for another win, as it's now 13 wins from 13 games since the return, and a fourteenth would be very welcome. What's more, despite concerns about Eric and Joan Garcia after the match on Wednesday, both are available to Hansi Flick.

Rayo making history and pose a real threat

The visitors will have to do without the suspended Nobel Mendy, but Iñigo Pérez's side will be buoyed by making the quarterfinals of European competition for only the second time in their history despite the home loss. Playing in three competitions this year is putting demands on the squad, but their recent run in LaLiga is positive, as they are unbeaten in six, with two wins and four draws, helping them remain clear of the drop zone.

They pose a real threat in attack in particular with players like Álvaro Garcia, Isi and De Frutos, and the Madrid side know how to hurt Barça, with the 1-1 draw at the Vallecas stadium early in the season and having left the Spotify Camp Nou unbeaten with a win (0-1) and a goalless draw in the last two visits testament to precisely that.

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