Xavi Reacts Furiously To Barcelona's 2-1 Defeat To Rayo Vallecano In The La Liga.

Rayo Vallecano stunned La Liga run-away leaders Barcelona, as they ran out with a shocking 2-1 win at the Estadio de Vallecas on Wednesday night.

The Catalans seem to be set on keeping the LaLiga title race alive having squandered the chance to move 14 points clear with a win at Vallecas but instead suffered just a third league defeat of the season.

Their worries in front of goal continue as they have only managed to score two goals in their last four league fixtures.

Alvaro Garcia Rivera and Fran Garcia were on the scoresheet for Rayo Vallecano as the host eased to a 2-0 lead, before a late Robert Lewandowski goal from close range gave the visitors a lifeline.

Rayo's high pressing caused Barcelona problems all night and led to the first goal as Alvaro broke the deadlock for the Madrid side in the 19th minute after Sergio Camello got the better of Gavi to win the ball back high up the field, and unselfishly passed to the 30-year-old Spaniard whose low, well-hit shot into the bottom corner was too good for the Barca goalkeeper Marc Ter Stegen.

Rayo Vallecano's Fran Garcia scored the second goal to double the lead just after half time, as the 23-year-ild left-back capitalized on a Frenkie de Jong mistake and burst past Araujo into the box to fire a low shot past Ter Stegen.

Just when Barcelona looked dead and buried, Robert Lewandowski pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute of the match when a a blocked shot fell into the Polish striker path and he instinctively lashed past Dimitrievski to make it 2-1.

Xavi's side regained their prowess, pinning Rayo Vallecano back with some smart attacking play, However, it was too little to late for Barcelona as they never came close to finding an equaliser, and now return to Camp Nou empty-handed.

Rayo are now undefeated in their last four games against Barcelona, winning three. After doing the double over the Catalan giants last season, Vallecano have demonstrated that was no fluke.

They climb to ninth, with 43 points, and are just three off seventh and a potential European spot finish.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez admitted he was really annoyed at seeing his team loset the game 2-1 to Rayo Vallecano.

Speaking after the match (via Marca), Xavi said that his team did not play a good game and was not comfortable during the encounter.

“We didn’t play a good game, we were not comfortable at any time. We didn't take our chances and were penalised a lot for the second goal, but we did try until the end,"... Xavi said.

“We have had faith and courage, but Rayo were just victorious. They press really well and we were never comfortable. The defeat really annoys us but it’s another game week down.”

Barca still boast a very healthy lead in La Liga but Xavi has warned his players that the title is not won just yet.

“The message is simple: there is still a long way to go. Nothing is done yet. LaLiga is not won, I have said it many times. It will take a lot to win it,” he added.

“Every game away from home is a battle. Madrid are losing games, Atletico are having to scrap to win, we have lost... but we are annoyed because this was a really good opportunity to extend the gap.”

Despite their 11-point lead above Real Madrid who sit in second place, the title race is still very much open with seven games still to play.

They have just one win in their last five games in all competitions as they limp towards the title.

Barcelona will now aim to get back on track on Saturday when they host Real Betis at the Camp Nou.