Barcelona Edges Rayo Vallecano 2-1 to Top La Liga
Dani Olmo Secures Barcelona’s 2-1 Comeback Win Over Rayo Vallecano
MADRID:
Dani Olmo marked his delayed debut for Barcelona with a decisive goal, securing a 2-1 comeback victory against Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas Stadium in La Liga on Tuesday. Olmo’s 82nd-minute strike was crucial in helping Barcelona maintain their perfect start under new coach Hansi Flick, marking their third consecutive win of the season.
Olmo, who was signed from RB Leipzig, had been waiting for his registration to be finalized and was only officially cleared to play earlier in the day. The Spain playmaker made an immediate impact after being substituted in at halftime. His presence energized a previously lackluster Barcelona side, which had been trailing since the first half.
Rayo Vallecano’s Unai Lopez opened the scoring in the first half with a well-placed shot at the near post. Barcelona struggled to break through Rayo’s defense, with few clear-cut chances created apart from some promising moments from teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Flick’s halftime decision to replace Ferran Torres with Olmo paid off as Barcelona began to show more urgency and creativity. Olmo, playing as a central attacking midfielder, linked up well with Brazil winger Raphinha, who had been moved to the left flank. Barcelona’s attacking play improved significantly with Olmo’s introduction, creating several opportunities to equalize.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski missed a chance to equalize, unable to connect properly with a dangerous cross from Raphinha. Raphinha also came close with a free-kick that narrowly missed the target, and Olmo’s long-range effort hit the crossbar.
Barcelona’s persistence finally paid off in the 60th minute when Pedri, who had been in fine form, leveled the score. He finished a well-worked move involving Raphinha with a composed finish. Barcelona appeared to have taken the lead ten minutes later when Lewandowski scored from a rebound. However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review, which adjudged Jules Kounde’s minimal contact with Pep Chavarria to be a foul.
Despite the setback, Barcelona continued to press forward. Olmo’s goal came as a result of another excellent play by Yamal, who set up Olmo for a precise finish, ensuring that Barcelona secured all three points.
After the match, Olmo expressed his satisfaction with his debut performance. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment since I arrived. I’m very happy to have made my debut and helped the team with a crucial goal,” he told DAZN.
The victory was tinged with concern as 17-year-old defensive midfielder Marc Bernal, who had been a standout performer this season, was taken off in the final stages with a knee injury. Flick expressed his disappointment over Bernal’s injury, emphasizing that while the win was positive, the team’s mood was subdued due to the young player’s condition. “We have to wait until tomorrow to assess how severe it is,” Flick said.
Rayo Vallecano, who recently signed former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, started the match strongly. Rodriguez, who watched from the stands, saw his team take the lead but ultimately fall short against a resurgent Barcelona.
Barcelona’s second-half performance was characterized by a renewed energy and resilience, reflecting the positive impact of Flick’s coaching. The win ensures that Barcelona will lead the La Liga table after the third round, despite ongoing injury concerns for key players like Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo.
As Barcelona celebrates the win, attention will shift to the upcoming fixtures, with Real Madrid set to visit Las Palmas on Thursday and Atletico Madrid hosting Espanyol on Wednesday. The team will hope to maintain their form and navigate through their injury challenges as the season progresses.