LaLiga Matchday 11: Koeman hoping for El Clasico reaction

Aarron Pullen

LiveScore

Nothing but a win will do for Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman against Rayo Vallecano

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After a deflating 2-1 home defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday, Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman knows victory against Rayo Vallecano is imperative ahead of a round of midweek LaLiga action.

Meanwhile, bitter rivals Real host Osasuna as they attempt to close the gap to league leaders Real Sociedad.

Game of the week: Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona (Wednesday, 6pm)

After a bruising El Clasico loss, Koeman's men must now head to the capital and get a result in what surely is a must-win game for their under-fire boss.

Despite holding an unsurprisingly good record against Los Franjirrojos, last failing to win in December 2002, the Blaugrana will have to be at their best if they wish to alleviate the pressure on them.

Vallecano have started the season well and sit seventh, two places above the visiting Catalan giants.

Veteran striker Radamel Falcao will pose a threat to Barca's struggling defence, with three goals in his last five league games.

Koeman's side have looked vulnerable at the back — keeping just two clean sheets from their opening nine league games.

Despite their mid-table position, Barcelona's xG of 14.9 ranks third in the division

Here are the other big games to watch this week…

Real Madrid vs Osasuna (Wednesday, 8.30pm)

With an El Clasico victory still fresh in the mind, Los Blancos return to the Bernabeu with a spring in their step.

They should not be expecting a walkover on Wednesday, however, with Osasuna denied what would have been a fourth successive LaLiga win at the weekend when Granada equalised in the 90th minute.

Los Rojillos boast a perfect away record of four wins from four and a statement would well and truly be made if Jagoba Arrasate's side can make that five in the capital.

Carlo Ancelotti will need his in-form pair of Karim Benzema (nine goals) and Vinicius Junior (five goals) to do the business once more if they are to emerge victorious.

David Alaba set Real Madrid on their way to a win at the Camp Nou on Sunday

Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad (Thursday, 6pm)

Sociedad were on course for an impressive victory on the road at Atletico Madrid last time out, before a second-half brace from Luis Suarez left Imanol Alguacil's side to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The Basque outfit maintained their spot at the top of the table, however, and go to Celta Vigo hoping to extend their unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions.

Star man Alexander Isak notched a goal and an assist at the Wanda Metropolitano and the 22-year-old will again be their key attacking threat, having scored four goals in his last five games for club and country.