Most things will be forgiven by football supporters but getting the basics wrong, particularly when you play for for FC Barcelona, really takes the biscuit.
Let’s not get too carried away by a marginally better second half performance at Vallecas because that’s the minimum expected from anyone that pulls on the Blaugrana.
The fact is that Barca haven’t played anywhere close to their best level for a few games now. They’ve been getting progressively worse by the week, and the Rayo debacle has to be the nadir this season.
With games upcoming against Porto, Atletico Madrid and Girona, there’s a very real chance that the Catalans could be beaten into second place in their Champions League group and be as many as 12 points behind top spot if results were to go against them in La Liga.