Olmo emerges from bench to rescue win for Barca against Rayo Vallecano on debut

Dani Olmo came off the bench to rescue Barcelona with a goal on his debut as Hansi Flick’s side kept their 100% start to the La Liga campaign intact with a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano.

Barca endured a frustrated opening period as they failed to break down the hosts after Unai Lopez had put Vallecano ahead with a neat finish early on.

A totally different Barca team emerged from the tunnel for the second half and they came close to an equaliser when Robert Lewandowski missed a remarkable open goal and Olmo’s long-range effort crashed the bar from 35 yards out.

Barca’s patience finally paid off when an unmarked Raphinha found an unmarked Pedri, who steered the ball beyond Dani Cardenas.

Flick’s side thought they had gone ahead when Lewandowski slotted the ball home from close range, but VAR ruled a foul from Jules Kounde in the build-up.

However, Barca were not done as Olmo – who was brilliant off the bench on his debut – put the visitors ahead with a beautifully curled finish.

The win means Barca have moved to the top of the La Liga table and put the early pressure on reigning champions Real Madrid following their perfect start to the campaign.

Talking point – Olmo gets life at Barca off to the perfect start

After a week of controversy surrounding Olmo’s situation at the club with Barca struggling to register him following his switch from RB Leipzig, it could not have started more perfectly for Olmo who came off the bench to score a crucial winner.

For much of the game, it looked as though Barca were going to concede their 100% start to the season before Olmo helped to salvage a huge three points on the road. Not only did he get himself on the scoresheet, but he was excellent when he came on at half-time and made Barca look ten times better going forward.

Player of the match – Pedri (Barcelona)

This could have gone to either Pedri or Yamal, who were both brilliant on the night. Yamal provided a constant threat from the right and for large parts of the match looked like the only player who was going to score for the visitors.

But Pedri was fantastic in his midfield role and turned the tide of the match with his goal on the hour mark, before Barca went on to win the game.

Pedri

Image credit: Eurosport

MATCH RATINGS

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Kounde 7, Cubarsi 7, Martinez 7, Martin 6, Bernal 7, Pedri 8, Yamal 8, Raphinha 8, Torres 6, Lewandowski 6

Subs: Olmo 8, Lopez N/A, Victor N/A

Rayo Vallcano: Cardenas 6, Balliu 6, Lejeune 6, Mumin 6, Espino 6, Lopez 7, Valentin 6, de Frutos 7, Palazon 6, Garcia 7, Camello 6

Subs: Chavarria 6, Gumbau 6, Ciss 6, Embarba 6, Nteka 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

9’ – GOAL!! – RAYO VALLECANO 1-0 BARCELONA (LOPEZ): It’s been a brilliant start from Rayo and now they have the lead! This time they get forward down the left and Jorge de Frutos pulls a cross back for Unai Lopez to fire past Ter Stegen. A deserved lead!

37’ – BARCA’S BEST CHANCE! Yamal opens up his body as he cuts inside and unleashes a strike with his deadly left foot, but Cardenas isn’t too troubled as he takes the sting out of the shot with his palms before safely clutching the ball. Much better from Barca, though, who are finally showing a bit of attacking intent.

48’ – MUCH BRIGHTER FROM BARCA – Kounde finds Raphinha with a cross from the right but the Brazilian scuffs his first-time effort. Seconds later the pair combine again as Raphinha finds Kounde, but the defender’s shot is blocked after a tricky one-two in the box.

51’ – LEWANDOWSKI MISSES AN OPEN GOAL! The legendary goalscorer will not get a better chance to level for his team! Raphinha squares a ball across the six-yard box which evades two defenders and the goalkeeper, as well as the outstretched foot of the completely unmarked Lewandowski at the back post, who only had to guide the ball into an empty net. It might have taken the slightest touch off the goalkeeper, but nonetheless, you expect him to put that away and a huge chance goes begging!

59’ – OLMO RATTLES THE BAR! Barca take a quick free-kick on the halfway line and Olmo receives the ball on the half-turn, drives forward and unleashes a stunning effort from 35 yards out but is beaten by the bar. What an effort!

60’ – GOAL!! – RAYO VALLECANO 1-1 BARCELONA (PEDRI): There it is! Pedri equalises for Barca on the hour mark and it’s been coming! They get forward down the left through Raphinha, who cuts inside and lays the ball off to Pedri, who has so much time to control the ball, turn and guide the ball into the bottom right corner. It has been a totally different Barca side in the second half.

71’ – GOAL!! – RAYO VALLECANO 1-2 BARCELONA (LEWANDOWSKI): Third time lucky for the Polish striker who steers Barca ahead! The goalkeeper saves Yamal’s effort but the ball comes to Lewandowski at the back post, who has another open goal but can’t get his feet sorted. But he eventually gets the ball out of his feet and slots the ball into the far corner. A brilliant finish!

72’ – HOLD FIRE… WE’RE GOING TO VAR – It looks as though there might have been a foul from Kounde in the build-up, as he treads on one of the defender’s feet with his studs.

73’ – GOAL RULED OUT! VAR has confirmed the foul and the goal is chalked off, we’re back to 1-1.

82’ – GOAL!! – RAYO VALLECANO 1-2 BARCELONA (OLMO) – Olmo nets on his debut and puts Barca ahead with minutes to go! Yamal drives to the byline, cuts back and finds Olmo in the box who takes a touch before curling the ball into the far corner. It just had to be!

90’+9 – BIG CHANCE FOR RAYO! The ball fizzes across the six-yard box from a cross and Randy Nketa slides in to meet it but can’t quite get a connection! What a let-off so late on for Barcelona.

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