Barcelona’s new period is off to a gradual begin as Lewandowski and Raphinha are shut out in a goalless draw

BARCELONA — Xavi’s new signings could not make the distinction towards Rayo Vallecano of their season opener at Camp Nou, which ended 0-0. Barcelona dominated the sport in possession and probabilities created, however Rayo held on to grind out a draw.

– Report: Barcelona 0-0 Rayo Vallecano | LaLiga table | Upcoming fixtures

ESPN’s Sam Marsden has the response from Camp Nou.

JUMP TO: Player ratings | Best/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Post-match quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures

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Speedy Response

Barcelona’s new period off to gradual begin

Barcelona’s vibrant new future started with a stuttering goalless draw at house to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. It was, not less than, higher than the 2 1-Zero defeats they suffered towards the identical opposition final season.

It was purported to be totally different this time. Since shedding to Rayo in April, Barca have spent over €150 million on new gamers. Three of their 5 new signings began right here after most of them had been registered with LaLiga simply 24 hours earlier than kick-off. Jules Kounde, although, watched from the stands. Barca should not have sufficient wage house to register the defender but.

Robert Lewandowski has been registered and he led the road, flanked in assault by fellow new signing Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, however none of them may discover a well past Stole Dimitrievski within the customer’s objective. When Lewandowski did beat him early within the first half, the flag went up.

Substitute Franck Kessie additionally had a objective dominated out for offside, whereas Sergio Busquets and Dembele had been each denied by Dimitrievski. When probabilities fell Raphinha’s manner, he missed the goal.

The pre-game optimism of the 81,000 followers at Camp Nou turned to whistles within the second half as Dimitrievski time wasted at each alternative. Barca’s gamers additionally grew annoyed. Busquets was proven a late purple card for a second reserving.

There was nearly a sting within the tail for the hosts, too, with Rayo carving their very own probabilities. Fortunately for Barca, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was in good kind to make sure they did not endure a 3rd straight defeat to Andoni Iraola’s workforce.

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Barca’s assault might have a while

Maybe it was unrealistic to anticipate Barca’s new-look assault to click on immediately. Xavi has unbelievable depth obtainable to him however all through preseason he has proven a choice for Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dembele. Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay are ready within the wings. They could not all keep past the switch window.

Raphinha shone in preseason however wasted his greatest probabilities towards Rayo. Dembele blew cold and hot. Lewandowski tried to drive the workforce on, however nothing fairly fell for him. There was no on the spot connection between the three. Substitute Ansu offered simply as a lot as a spark when he got here on, whereas Aubameyang noticed a late probability cleared off the road.

It took till January of their first season collectively for Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to actually take off. Let’s examine how rapidly Xavi can knock this frontline into form.

Rayo present credentials

Rayo ended 12th final season of their first 12 months again within the high flight and confirmed towards Barca on Saturday that they’re as soon as once more up for the battle regardless of having one of many league’s smallest budgets.

Iraola is a incredible younger coach and he has some gifted gamers, regardless of not having a penny to spend. Isi Palazon and Oscar Trejo had been enjoyable to look at at Camp Nou, however it was the workforce’s form and understanding which earned them the purpose.

That is three video games in a row they’ve shut Barca out. Luis Suarez’s objective in 2019 was the Catalan’s final towards Rayo. That is not all the way down to luck. That is all the way down to Iraola.

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Participant scores

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7; Araujo 6, Christensen 6, Eric Garcia 7, Alba 5; Busquets 6, Pedri 6, Gavi 6; Raphinha 5, Lewandowski 6, Dembele 6

Subs: De Jong 7, Roberto 6, Ansu 6

Rayo: Dimitrievski 8; Balliu 7, Lejeune 7, Catena 7, Fran Garcia 7; Ciss 6, Lopez 6; Isi Palazon 7, Trejo 7, Alvaro Garcia 6; Camello 6

Subs: Falcao 6, Ponce 6, Pozo 6, Valentin 6

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Finest and worst performers

BEST: Dimitrievski

The house supporters had been sick of the sight of him due to his time losing, however his shot stopping earned Rayo a degree. He made six saves in whole on a memorable opening day for Rayo.

WORST: Jordi Alba

Nobody deserves an excessive amount of criticism for Barca dropping factors, however left-back Jordi Alba was maybe the participant furthest away from his greatest. He’s normally such an integral a part of his workforce’s assault however did not get ahead sufficient or hyperlink effectively with these forward of him.

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Highlights and notable moments

Andoni Iraola has not misplaced to Barcelona throughout his time as supervisor of Rayo Vallecano.

https://twitter.com/sidlowe/status/1558560574144905220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Busquets was despatched off throughout added time, his first sending off in a LaLiga match.

https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1558559470082396160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Lewandowski couldn’t discover the again of the online in his first LaLiga match at Camp Nou.

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After the match: What the managers, gamers stated

“I perceive the frustration, expectations are actually excessive. We must analyse the sport, enhance and maintain believing within the mannequin of play. Rayo defended effectively. It was more durable for us to create [chances] than regular. It is a disgrace as a result of we wished to indicate the followers that we’re on an excellent path. It is disappointing, however we ask for endurance.” – Barcelona head coach Xavi

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Key Stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Data)

• Barcelona: final time they went three straight league video games with out scoring towards the identical opponent was towards Atletico Madrid throughout 2020-21; previous to that they hadn’t gone three straight conferences with out scoring towards an opponent since going 4 in a row towards Actual Oviedo in 1989-91

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Up subsequent

Barcelona: They journey to Real Sociedad on Aug. 21 earlier than taking part in a pleasant towards Premier League champions Manchester City on Aug. 24, adopted by a house LaLiga recreation vs. Valladolid on Aug. 28.

Rayo Vallecano: Rayo journey to Espanyol on Aug. 19, then host Mallorca on Aug. 27 earlier than touring to play Osasuna on Sep. 4.