Barcelona waited for Monday night, waited two months to finally return to the top of La Liga... And they succeeded, not with a spectacular performance like they have recently, but the super important three points are here.
Hansi Flick's team defeated the unlucky Rayo Vallecano (who were on a three-game winning streak) with Robert Lewandowski scoring from the penalty spot in the 28th minute (1:0).
The victory over the small Madrid team took Barça to the top of La Liga, also due to a better goal difference, ahead of the giants from the Spanish capital, Real.
The rivals from "El Clasico" have 24 points after 51 rounds, while Atletico Madrid, who are only a point behind, are also having one of the most exciting seasons, and Athletic Bilbao, who are at minus six, certainly have the right to hope.
The match at Montjuic was marked by VAR decisions, the first of which awarded Barcelona a penalty.
After the home team's corner, Pate Sis constantly pulled Injig Martinez, and although the ball wouldn't reach the Barça stopper (goalkeeper Augusto Batalha intervened), the decision was clear - a penalty kick for the "blaugrana".
Lewandowski made no mistake from the penalty spot. and few thought that the only goal of the match would be scored in the 28th minute. It was the 20th goal of the season for the La Liga top scorer.
Barça had plenty of good chances until the end (maestro Rafinha didn't have his night this time), but they also survived dangerous attempts by the "bees".
The first time was in the 44th minute when VAR intervened again and disallowed Jorge de Frutos' goal, even though he was not offside. Randi Nteka was in an offside position, and the referees probably judged that the Angolan guy was hindering Martinez from reaching and stopping De Frutos' shot.
Alfonso Perez Burul, a former referee who now works for Radio Marca, said that Nteka could not have had any influence because Martinez would not have had time to stop the shot from the Rayo player.
Barca's failure to "close" the match earlier could have been punished in the 90th minute, but De Frutos headed a shot over the goal from several meters.
In the end, it was another match that will further raise tensions between Madrid and Barcelona, so it's no surprise that Marca's headline in the report from Catalonia.
"New leader and new controversy".
Bonus video:
