'Distracted' Barça see off relegation threatened Rayo
Three goals from Pique, Messi and Luis Suarez were enough to overturn a surprise lead by Rayo when Raul de Tomas smashed home in the first half.
Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano: match report
Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Rayo, who have now lost their last 12 games against Barca, took a shock lead midway through the first half when forward Raul de Thomas -- who is on loan from Real Madrid -- ran past two defenders before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.
The Madrid side's unlikely lead at the Nou Camp lasted a quarter of an hour and ended when Messi whipped in a free kick for Gerard Pique to appear unmarked and head home.
Barca won a penalty early in the second half when Luis Suarez was fouled and Messi converted to put the league leaders in front and the Uruguayan forward made sure of the points with a simple finish from close range in the 82nd minute.
Coach Ernesto Valverde started without Ousmane Dembele and Ivan Rakitic but fielded an otherwise first-choice starting 11 even with a Champions League last-16 second leg against Olympique Lyonnais coming up on Wednesday.
The win restored Barca's seven-point gap over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who earned a 1-0 victory at home to Leganes.
Rayo are 19th in the standings and two points from escaping the drop zone as the pressure mounts on coach Michel.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano live online: match updates
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano live online: preview
It's back to LaLiga and Camp Nou for Barcelona after 21 days playing away from home with a draw against Lyon, a win over Sevilla and two wins at the Santiago Bernabéu rounding out a successful spell on the road for the league leader. Rayo Vallecano have to win or else their manager, Michél, will be sacked in what seems a very tall task. Kick-off from the Camp Nou is at 18:30 CET.
Barcelona return to the Champions League during the week with Lyon visiting the Camp Nou and they might have one eye on that tie after the first leg finished in a draw. Ernesto Valverde's squad selection doesn't suggest that is the case, however, with all of his big-hitters named. Kevin Prince Boateng was left out again with qestions being asked over the need to buy him in January. Meanwhile, Rafinha is out long term and Vermaelen is also injured. Todibo started in the Catalan Cup against Girona but he is left out of the squad and Lenglet is suspended. The suspension of the French defender means Samuel Umtiti will likely get a start as he returned to action after a long spell on the sideline. Coutinho is likely going to be given a chance but his form has fallen off a cliff and he needs to rediscover it soon.
Rayo Vallecano are fighting relegation and they're trying to keep their manager in a job too. "I think I am the best person to bring this team forward," said Míchel before the game and he says he has been told nothing by the club about his future and plans to keep playing as though he will be the manager until the end of the season and beyond. Abdoulaye Ba is suspended after a sending off against Girona last week in Vallecas while Gorka Elustondo remains out with a long term injury.