Rayo Vallecano coach Inigo Perez was livid after technical issues with the VAR meant a Barcelona penalty couldn’t be checked throughout Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the LaLiga champions.
Rayo rallied to earn a creditable level in opposition to Hansi Flick’s facet, who dropped factors for the primary time this season after back-to-back wins over Mallorca and Levante.
The Blaugrana went forward by way of a Fortieth-minute spot-kick from Lamine Yamal, who had gone down below the problem of Pep Chavarria on the best facet of the realm.
Nonetheless, the choice was not reviewed resulting from points with the VAR. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer knowledgeable each coaches earlier than kick-off that the know-how was not working, and after service briefly returned, it was reported that the connection was misplaced once more within the eleventh minute, which means pitch-side opinions weren’t doable.
Perez reacted furiously on the sidelines and subsequently informed DAZN that the match ought to have been postponed if the know-how was not absolutely operational.
Perez later added: “It was a really full recreation on our half; we had it drawn up in our heads.
“I used to be ashamed of my behaviour, it was the results of frustration. I’ve all the time supported the referees; I’m a devoted defender of referees, even after they make errors.
“What bothers me at the moment is that gamers can’t spend 5 minutes with VAR, 5 minutes with out VAR… That influences the sport lot. They’ve apologised to us.
“I’m bothered by the dearth of effectivity. Possibly it’s Rayo Vallecano’s fault, I wouldn’t be shocked in the event that they made it sound like that. Dishonest is a robust phrase, nevertheless it does mislead.”
1 – Towards Rayo Vallecano, @FCBarcelona‘s Lamine Yamal has turn into the youngest participant to attain a penalty purpose in LaLiga within the twenty first Century (18 years and 49 days). Precocious. pic.twitter.com/wm4x4eZkVX
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 31, 2025
Hansi Flick, in the meantime, was sad with Barca’s efficiency after they went by way of your complete second half with out registering a shot on track, with Fran Perez getting Rayo’s equaliser within the 67th minute.
He did reserve reward for current signing Joan Garcia, nonetheless, after the goalkeeper made 5 saves to protect a degree for his staff.
“We made numerous errors; we will play significantly better. Rayo performed fantastically. I’m not proud of my staff at the moment,” Flick mentioned.
“Rayo are a really intense staff, however we needed to management the sport higher. Joan Garcia performed a implausible recreation at the moment, it was implausible to see how he made his saves.
“He’s excellent with how he works with the ball. He’s quick and didn’t make any errors at the moment. He’s assured with the ball and with out it. It was an excellent determination to signal him.”
Barca host Valencia of their first recreation after the worldwide break on September 14, having slipped two factors behind Actual Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.