Welcome to Eurosport's coverage of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano. The reigning champions need to bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat to Getafe on Saturday but Rayo will hope to inflict further misery on Barca who currently lie 6 points behind their rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
La Liga / Matchday 17
Spotify Camp Nou / 29.11.2011
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- A. Sánchez(29', 41')
- D. Villa(43')
- L. Messi(50')
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Updated 29/11/2011 at 21:51 GMT
5'
The away side are keen to press their hosts but have already given Messi too much room. Messi has 15 league goals this season, a total equal to the entire Rayo Vallecano squad. The majestic Messi has also averaged two goals a league game at the Camp Nou this season, hitting 14 goals in 7 matches.
4'
A floated ball from the left finds Bangoura free 8 yards out but his stretched volley finds the side netting. A very open start to proceedings tonight.
2'
Straight down the other end, Iniesta spots Cobeno off his line and attempts a half volley from half way. A stunning effort which forces a corner but Rayo clear the danger. What a pulsating start.
1'
Chance for the away side immediately as Fuego capitalises on a poor clearance to fire a shot just over the bar from 30 yards.
20:00
Here we go! After some very warm handshakes Rayo Vallecano get us under way playing from right to left . Rayo Vallecano might seem the underdogs tonight but they've only lost two of their last 8 games against Barcelona- big game for Barca!
19:55
Five minutes to go here at the Camp Nou until play starts. Here's a little gem for you- Barcelona love the midweek clashes. They have never lost in La Liga on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at home, winning 39 and drawing 16.
19:50
Tonight is exactly a year since Barca recorded a famous 5-0 win over their bitter rivals Real Madrid in the El Classico at Camp Nou. Guardiola will be hoping Messi and co can replicate that stunning form as so far this is Barca's worst start to a league season under Guardiola.
19:45
Barcelona can become the first side in La Liga history to go 11 consecutive games at home without conceding. However the Catalans are susceptible to struggling against newly promoted sides, having dropped points against each of the three newly-promoted sides last season.
19:40
Pep Guardiola welcomes back the inspirational Andres Iniesta to the starting line up having missed two games with a thigh injury and Fabregas returns to the squad on the bench alongside Carlos Puyol.
19:35
BARCELONA: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Iniesta, Keita, Sanchez, Villa, Messi. /// RAYO VALLECANO: Cobeno, Labaka, Garrido, Figueras, Casdado, Movilla, Fuego, Michu, Michel, Botelho, Bangoura.