But : Lopez (9e) for the Franjirrojos // Pedri (60e), Elm (82e) for Barça
A perfect start.
Having started badly on the Rayo Vallecano pitch by conceding the opening goal, FC Barcelona turned the situation around in the second half (1-2). In the first half, the Catalans were quickly outclassed, to the point of seeing Unai Lopez find the back of the net against a Marc-André Ter Stegen who was not closing his near post well (1-0, 9e). While Ferran Torres was struggling to show his best, Hansi Flick sent him to the bench as soon as he returned from the locker room to bring in Dani Olmo, recently recruited.
Following on from his spectacular and victorious Euro with Spain, he only needed a few seconds to stand out with a hook in the opposition area, but Florian Lejeune’s tackle was not whistled (46e). After the rookie hit the crossbar, it was Pedri who allowed Barça to get back into the game with a left-footed shot. (1-1, 60e). The new refereeing controversy following the goal disallowed for Robert Lewandowski, for a serious foul upstream of Jules Koundé (71e), finally extinguished by Olmo, again and again. Found by Lamine Yamal at the edge of the area, the attacking midfielder turns and places his shot in the small opposite net (1-2, 82e) to celebrate his first match with the Blaugrana.
For its part, FC VAR-celone can still have some regrets.
Barça frustrated by Rayo Vallecano
