Barcelona have opened their 2022-2023 La Liga campaign with a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou. The Spanish giants dropped a valuable 2 points at home against a determined Rayo Vallecano side.
Match Starting Line-up
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Eric, Christensen, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Catena, Lejeune, Fran Garcia; Unai, Pathe Ciss; Isi, Trejo, Alvaro Garcia, Camello
For the first time in seven years, Robert Lewandowski has failed to score in an opening match of a football season. A determined Iraola-led team welcomed the former Bayern Munich ace striker to the La Liga in style as they forced the Catalan club to a goalless draw at Camp Nou.
The first half began with Barcelona dominating the opening minutes of the game, not giving the visitors a chance on the ball.
A new signing from Sevilla, Yules Kounde, did not feature for the Blaugrana as his new club did not register him; all the other new signings were registered.
Barcelona dominated the visitors but could not find a goal. Ousmane Dembele tried to set Lewandowski with a through ball, but the latter was caught offside.
Lewandowski’s 12th-minute strike almost gave the host the lead but was ruled out for offside. The match continued with Barcelona trying to pin a way through Vallecano’s brick wall defense.
In the 16th minute, Raphinha was caught offside when Dembele had successfully picked a hole in the visitor’s defense to create a chance for the former Leeds player.
It was a deadlock for Robert Lewandowski as he had never failed to score on the first day of the opening season in the last seven years.
The greatest chance for a goal for the Blaugrana came in the 20th minute, but the opportunity was squandered by Raphinha, who fired blank.
Both teams went on a cooling break in the 26th minute as the temperature hit 30°C.
Another clear chance came in the 36th minute when Dembele cleared down the right and quickly cut into the box, but Dimitrievski was well positioned to save the ball.
Barcelona created a series of chances while dominating the game but was unable to find the back of the net. The first half ended 0-0.
The second half began with increased pressure from the hosts as they tried so hard to find a goal.
Barcelona made three substitutions in the 59th and 60th minute of the game as the visitors still held on to a 0-0 draw. Afterward, Gavi came in for de Jong; Raphinha came off for Ansu, and Sergio Roberto replaced Andreas Christensen, yet, the changes didn’t make any difference.
Rayo Vallecano made two substitutions in the 61st minute. It was Unai Lopez coming off for Oscar Valentin, while Radamel Falcao replaced Sergio Camello.
The hosts continued to mount pressure while the visitors held on to salvage a point from the game.
The game was turning more physical with both sides committing bad fouls, which resulted in yellow cards.
Barcelona made another two substitutions. Pedri came off for Franck Kessie while Aubameyang replaced Jordi Alba.
The visitors continued to hold till the final minutes as the match ended in a 0-0 draw
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