La Liga BBVA: FC Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano - Match Report

Villarreal and Celta Vigo have been among the goals and wins this season so far. It's a new season with the usual favorites being displaced from their positions. They're clearly given Barca and Real Madrid a run for their money. Also, the margin between Real, Celta, Villarreal and Barca is hardly 5+ points but one point apart or none at all.

Now, while Barca plays Rayo Vallecano in 15th place, Real plays Levante while Celta and Villareal play each other on Sunday. Also, Atleti plays away at Sociedad and which definitely will not be an easy fixture.

Without a doubt, this makes for an exciting season provided the new entrants (Celta and Villareal) hold their position in the top four.

No Messi. No Iniesta. It seemed like a different side altogether until the first Barca goal. Of course, Rayo Vallecano are placed 15th in the La Liga BBVA table but they certainly didn't play like it at the Camp Nou.

To say the least, the first half was rather annoying with a number of misses from Rakitic, Sandro, Neymar and Suarez. Even Luis Enrique couldn't hide his irritation and for good reason too.

What made matters worse was the first goal scored by Rayo from Bebe to Guerra. But this poor show of football wasn't to continue for very long as Neymar was brought down in the Rayo's penalty box twice. In the 21 and 31 minute. Both times, he scored without even bothering to take a run-up.

Strangely enough, there was another penalty that could have been given in the first half for Neymar but that didn't materialize, for some reason.

But still no goals from "open play". They would have to wait for another 38 minutes to score two goals within a minute's time.

Prior to that, Bravo made an excellent double-save in the 49 minute, thanks to a brilliant attack by Rayo.

Speaking of which, the Barca defense looked lacklustre while Rayo did not hesitate to press high up the pitch. Of course, this made things easy for Neymar and Suarez among the others who would just break and put Rayo under pressure. It was what cost them the game even if they could have adopted a more conservative style to this game at the Camp Nou.

Despite Messi being out for a few more weeks, it looked like Neymar stole the show and Suarez played his part too until he scored the last Barca goal in the 76 minute of the game. Of course, Rayo came back with a second goal in the 86 minute... but it was a little too late.

Nice to see Barca going on the break again. This really suits our players as they end up scoring a number of goals much like last season.

Their next game is against Eibar on October 25, 2015 at the Camp Nou.

- Neymar scores 4 goals; assist by Suarez

- The finishing was rather poor in the first half; Rakitic, Sandro and Suarez all missed one-on-one chances

- Suarez scores one goal; assist by Neymar

- Rayo pressed really high up the pitch giving Barca players space to go on the break

- Rayo had a number of chances but only managed to score twice

- Barca's defense was clearly poor but Suarez and Neymar more than made up for it

- Barca moves up to second place in the La Liga BBVA table from fourth place pending tomorrow's game between Celta and Villarreal

Final score: Barca 5 - 2 Rayo Vallecano

With Real Madrid winning their game against Levante comprehensively and now Barca winning theirs in equally dominating fashion, they're back on top of the table with Madrid clearly in first place based on goal difference.

As mentioned earlier, it all depends on who wins the game between Villarreal and Celta tomorrow. This could either mean that Celta levels up with Barca and Madrid at 18 points each. Or Villarreal could take the first spot with 19 points.

So, who do you think will win La Liga this season? Do Celta and Villarreal have it in them to go the distance with Barca and Real? If so, feel free to explain the comments section below.