Hansi Flick has urged his Barcelona facet to “keep our degree” from their Champions League win over Newcastle United after they host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Barca thrashed Newcastle 7-2 of their Champions League final 16 second leg, securing an 8-3 mixture victory to arrange a quarter-final conflict with Atletico Madrid.
The Blaugrana are 4 factors clear on the prime of LaLiga, with second-placed Actual Madrid dealing with rivals Atletico on Sunday forward of the worldwide break.
Barcelona have gained 23 of their 28 matches in LaLiga 2025-26 (D1 L4); that is their marketing campaign with the fewest attracts at this stage of their top-flight historical past.
After their rampant win over Newcastle, Flick desires his Barca facet to play with the identical depth.
“It’s essential to take care of our degree,” stated Flick.
“Seeing the gamers take pleasure in taking part in soccer the best way they did in opposition to Newcastle was actually nice.
“Rayo tends to play the identical at residence and away. They’re an skilled group with a whole lot of depth, and that’s what we anticipate to face tomorrow.”
Boooooooom pic.twitter.com/cCI4TNtwkQ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 21, 2026
Barca face Atletico twice instantly after the worldwide break, first in LaLiga earlier than their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Blaugrana have already performed Diego Simeone’s facet thrice this season (as soon as in LaLiga, twice within the Copa del Rey), profitable on two events (L1).
Flick has welcomed the timing of the worldwide break, believing his gamers should profit from the remaining.
“We’ll practice through the worldwide break, however we’ll give a couple of days of relaxation to those that keep,” added the Barca boss.
“It’s additionally constructive for individuals who depart. It’s good to disconnect from the routine to return with extra power.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barcelona – Raphinha
Raphinha has reached 10 objectives for Barcelona in LaLiga for the second consecutive season (18 in 2024-25 and 11 within the present marketing campaign), whereas solely Robert Lewandowski (38) has scored extra objectives than him amongst Barcelona gamers combining the final two league seasons (29).
Rayo Vallecano – Florian Lejeune
Florian Lejeune assisted Rayo Vallecano’s aim of their final LaLiga match in opposition to Levante, ending his longest run with out a aim involvement for the Vallecano facet within the top-flight (28 video games).
MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN
At residence, Barcelona are on their second-longest run with out conceding a aim in opposition to Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga (three video games – W2 D1), after 4 matches between 1993 and 1997 (W4).
And Vallecano haven’t gained any of their final eight away matches in LaLiga (D3 L5), their longest winless run on the highway within the competitors since Might 2024 (9 video games – D3 L6).
Nevertheless, after 13 consecutive LaLiga wins in opposition to Rayo Vallecano between Might 2003 and March 2019, Barcelona have solely gained three of their final 9 matches in opposition to them within the competitors (D3 L3).
Vallecano are the opponent in opposition to whom Barca have dropped factors in essentially the most video games because the 2021-22 season (six).
The guests have scored of their final eight LaLiga video games (12 objectives), their greatest scoring run within the competitors since a 10-match streak between December 2024 and February 2025 (14 objectives).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Barcelona – 71.3%
Draw – 16.3%
Rayo Vallecano – 12.3%
