Barcelona player ratings vs Rayo Vallecano: Ronald Araujo the unlikely hero while Joan Garcia stands tall on rare off days for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in narrow La Liga win

Joan Garcia (9/10):

Looked to be struggling at times with the injury he picked up against Newcastle, but spread himself brilliantly to deny Martin in the first minute, and again in the second to half to keep out Unai Lopez's header. Capped a fine showing with a super stop from De Frutos late on.

Ronald Araujo (8/10):

Rayo looked to target his flank early on, but he stood up to the test well. Carried the ball forward well on occasion. Rose highest to break the deadlock.

Pau Cubarsi (7/10):

Spent most of the game picking passes from deep, while he swept up well when called upon to snuff out Rayo attacks.

Gerard Martin (6/10):

Solid alongside Cubarsi yet again. Keeps improving as a central defender.

Joao Cancelo (7/10):

An attacking threat yet again, both when going outside and when dropping into midfield. Set-piece delivery provided the assist for Araujo.

Fermin Lopez (7/10):

So good in tight spaces as he often got out of trouble to launch Barca attacks. Seemed to pick up a second-half knock that may have led to him being replaced on the hour mark.

Marc Bernal (6/10):

Knitted things together well enough in midfield while playing a couple of eye-catching passes. Off for Casado in the second half.

Pedri (7/10):

Somehow kept possession on a number of occasions when he looked to be crowded out and picked plenty of line-breaking passes in the first half. Not as accurate after the break, however.

Lamine Yamal (5/10):

Plenty of flicks, tricks and driving runs, but too often overran his attempted dribbles in a frustrating display from the teenager. Little lucky to avoid picking up a second yellow card in the second half.

Robert Lewandowski (4/10):

Dropped deep to link play well on a couple of occasions, but barely saw the ball in the final third. Did lack service but also wasn't mobile enough, which led to his half-time substitution.

Raphinha (3/10):

Despite scoring five goals in last two games, looked to be lacking in confidence. Wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring and too often played woeful final passes into the penalty area. Just not at the races at all.

Ferran Torres (5/10):

Certainly put himself about more than Lewandowski, but similarly little of the ball.

Dani Olmo (6/10):

Had a couple of nice touches and dragged a shot wide after coming on for Fermin.

Marc Casado (5/10):

Game largely passed him by in midfield after he came on for Bernal.

Marcus Rashford (N/A):

On for Yamal in the final 10 minutes and made a couple of dangerous runs down the left.

Xavi Espart (N/A):

Replaced Cancelo in the final minute.

Hansi Flick (5/10):

Perhaps paid the price for not giving more players a rest after their midweek exertions. Just about bailed out in the end.