Following a trophy-less season in 2021-22, the Blaugrana have made numerous high-profile. Still, contentious summer additions to return to the top of the tree in both LaLiga and the Champions League, both of which were won by their arch-rival Real Madrid the previous season.
Barca’s registration of their summer acquisitions has been authorized by LaLiga at the 11th hour, meaning several made their competitive debuts for the Blaugrana in this game. Three of them debuted, with Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski all in the XI, while Franck Kessie remained on the bench. Lewandowski scored in his opening game of the season in each of his previous seven Bundesliga seasons, netting ten goals in these encounters. However, Jules Kounde’s contract is still in jeopardy, having not been registered with the league in time for this season’s opener.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Pablo Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele.
SUBS: Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas, Gerard Pique, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay, Miralem Pjanic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Franck Kessie, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong, Alejandro Balde.
Rayo finished a solid 12th in the league last season following promotion in 2020-21, and Andoni Iraola’s men would be seeking to expand on their mid-table finish in this campaign. However, they couldn’t have asked for a more harsh start.
Barcelona lost their last home game in LaLiga against Rayo Vallecano, having won the previous seven league encounters at home to the Madrid-based opposition.
⚡⚽ Un ℝ𝔸𝕐𝕆 𝔻𝔼 𝔾𝕆𝕃 llamado Álvaro García.
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) August 11, 2022
❤ @RayoVallecano ❤#BarçaRayo#LaLigaSantander#KickOffLaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/2gbEe3TdlE
Rayo’s XI also included a litter of fresh members, with loanees Florian Lejeune and Sergio Camello starting amid Los Vallecanos’ defense and attack, respectively. La Masia product Ivan Balliu started at right-back.
RAYO VALLECANO (4-2-3-1): Stole Dimitrievski, Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Alejandro Catena, Francisco Garcia; Pathe Ciss, Unai Lopez; Isi Palazon, Oscar Trejo, Alvaro Garcia; Sergio Camello.
SUBS: Diego Lopez, Miguel Morro, Mario Hernandez, Mario Suarez, Radamel Falcao, Bebe, Randy Nteka, Salvi Sanchez, Jose Pozo, Oscar Valentin, Pablo Munoz, Diego Mendez.
📸⚡️Once en el Spotify Camp Nou #BarçaRayo #VamosRayo pic.twitter.com/mt6x2V5gpf
— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) August 13, 2022
Barcelona has won their opening game in twelve of the past thirteen LaLiga seasons, whereas Rayo Vallecano has not won in any of their last four campaigns in the top tier, losing the last two.
Barcelona had lost their past two LaLiga games against Rayo Vallecano without scoring a goal — only once have they lost three in a row without scoring against an opponent in their top-flight history, doing so against Real Madrid in 1958.
A solid start from Barca, who looked intriguing in the wide channels. Lewandowski's not seen much of the ball, so they needed to improve in the center of the field if they're to present him with some ammo - not that he needs much to be lethal.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
Lewandowski's not seen much of the ball, so they needed to improve in the center of the field if they're to present him with some ammo - not that he needs much to be lethal.
Barcelona is winless in their past two league matches, failing to score in each, and has not gone three in a row without scoring in the top tier since October 2003. Barcelona didn’t have any strategy to replicate that yet, notably Xavi, who has the most considerable negative proportion compared to the past two managers.
😎⚡ Dominó el centro del campo él solo...
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) August 17, 2022
📋 ¡Pathé Ciss 𝐥𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐳𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐧 en el #BarçaRayo, @RayoVallecano!#KickOffLaLigaSantander #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/7T70t9ViPH
Everyone inside Camp Nou is wondering how Barcelona was still yet to score! The Blaugrana have had a multitude of opportunities to open the score but have so far been thwarted by the Rayo rearguard! Barca's front three were in the mood for goals but needed to be more clinical if they were to get past this extremely well-organized defense from the visitors.
Barca's success thus far has come out wide, with Dembele shining. He had two shots on target from three attempts, as well as delivering three vital passes and two crosses. Raphinha had also excelled, but the two needed to find a more precise final delivery if they, or Lewandowski, were to succeed in breaking the deadlock.
🔙 El debut en @LaLiga #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/5GDA7BY9KW
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 16, 2022
Barca's domination had only intensified in the second half, with the Blaugrana managing 68.4 percent possession and twelve shots with four on target. The hosts had won seven corners, too, although Rayo was yet to win one of their own.
A 0-0 tie isn't the start Barcelona would've wanted to their season, especially since they've equaled a record of not scoring in three straight league games that extends back to 2003. For both sides tough, it's far early to speculate how they'll manage during the season, but given the resolve, Rayo showed again Barca's onslaught all game long; they'll be one tough nut to crack for many a club facing the Vallecanes.
RAYO 1-0 BARÇA ✅
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) August 13, 2022
BARÇA 0-1 RAYO ✅
RAYO 0-0 BARÇA ➖
⚡🔝⚡ ¡El @RayoVallecano suma 𝟑 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 contra el FC Barcelona en #LaLigaSantander! #KickOffLaLigaSantander #BarçaRayo pic.twitter.com/3FXtFHfg8S
Nothing to comment about the players except both goalkeepers, who demonstrated solid performance.
