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Hansi Flick did not try to hide things after Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. The German tactician admitted his team only had themselves to blame after letting their lead slip in Vallecas.
Barca gained the lead through Lamine Yamal's penalty in the 40th minute of the match, but were pegged back by Fran Perez' volley midway through the second half in the 67th minute of the match. The game was very difficult for the visitors as Flick's team never found the rhythm and struggled whenever the home side broke forward.
After the match, Hansi Flick gave a simple summary of the match where Barca rarely looked comfortably:
“We didn’t deserve more. We made a lot of mistakes.”
The penalty which put them ahead caused controversy. VAR was not working properly in the first half, which meant Pep Chavarria's foul on Lamine Yamal could not be reviewed. Rayo's players were angry, but Lamine Yamal scored from the spot.
However, Barcelona could not utilize the failed chances. Dani Olmo missed a great chance to double the lead before the break, and Raphinha also failed to convert when well placed.
The draw leaves Barca two points behind league leaders Real Madrid and Athletic Club, with the September international break arriving.
Crucial games for Barcelona after September international break
Barcelona will face a crucial game after the international break. They restart at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys against ninth-placed Valencia on September 14.
After four days, Barca will lock horns against Newcastle on September 18 at St James' Park for a UEFA Champions League game. Back in LaLiga, Getafe visit on September 21, after a midweek journey to Carlos Tartiere to meet Real Oviedo on September 24.
Real Sociedad will then arrive in Barcelona on September 28, making five games in fifteen days.
October opens with a marquee night at Lluis Companys against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1, before Sevilla away on October 5.
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