Dani Olmo made an unforgettable debut for Barcelona on Tuesday, scoring the decisive goal that completed a 2-1 comeback victory against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. This win marks Barcelona’s third straight victory under new head coach Hansi Flick, who has orchestrated a perfect start to the season for the Catalan giants.
Olmo’s first appearance for Barcelona had been delayed due to complications with his registration in La Liga, but once cleared, the Spain international wasted no time in proving his worth. Coming off the bench in the second half at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium, Olmo played a crucial role in turning the tide for Barca after a sluggish first half.
Rayo Vallecano, who are celebrating their centenary year, started the game with a clear intent to make it a memorable occasion. The hosts took the lead in the first half through Unai Lopez, who finished off a well-orchestrated attack initiated by Jorge De Frutos. De Frutos drove down the right flank before delivering a precise cross that Lopez converted with a low effort at the near post. The goal was a reward for Rayo’s energetic and disciplined approach, which kept Barcelona at bay for much of the first half.
Barcelona, however, looked out of sorts in the first half, struggling to create clear-cut opportunities and appearing vulnerable in defense. Despite the individual brilliance of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Barca failed to find a breakthrough before the break, leaving them trailing 1-0.
Recognizing the need for change, Flick made a decisive tactical adjustment at halftime. He replaced Ferran Torres with Dani Olmo, shifting the dynamics of the game. Olmo took up a central attacking midfield role, while Brazilian winger Raphinha was moved to the left flank. This reshuffle instantly injected life into Barcelona’s attack, and the visitors began to assert themselves more effectively.
With Olmo pulling the strings in midfield, Barcelona started to create a flurry of chances. The first major opportunity came when Robert Lewandowski, positioned close to goal, narrowly missed connecting with a dangerous cross from Raphinha. Moments later, Raphinha himself came close to equalizing with a well-taken free-kick that whistled just wide of the post. Olmo also announced his arrival with a thundering 30-yard strike that cannoned off the crossbar, signaling Barcelona’s growing threat.
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Barcelona’s persistence paid off on the hour mark when Pedri scored the equalizer. The goal came after a quick exchange of passes between Pedri and Raphinha, with Pedri coolly slotting the ball home to level the scores. The equalizer sparked even more urgency in Barca’s play, and they nearly took the lead 10 minutes later. However, Lewandowski’s goal was controversially disallowed after a VAR review determined that Jules Kounde had committed a foul in the buildup, a decision that left the Barcelona bench frustrated.
Undeterred by the setback, Barcelona continued to press forward. Their efforts were finally rewarded in the 82nd minute when Olmo marked his debut with a well-placed finish. After receiving a pass from Lamine Yamal, the former RB Leipzig star calmly slotted the ball past Rayo’s goalkeeper, securing the victory for Barcelona. Speaking after the match, Olmo expressed his delight, saying, “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity since I joined, and to score the winning goal on my debut is something I’ll always remember.”
Rayo Vallecano, despite their strong start, were unable to withstand Barcelona’s relentless pressure in the second half. Their recent high-profile signing, James Rodriguez, who watched the game from the stands, could only witness as Rayo’s hopes of celebrating their centenary year with a win over Barcelona slipped away.
Barcelona’s performance in the second half was a testament to the increased fitness levels and tactical acumen instilled by Flick since his arrival. The team’s ability to maintain energy and intensity late in the game, despite missing key players like Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo due to injuries, highlights the depth and resilience of the squad.
With this victory, Barcelona solidifies its position at the top of the La Liga table after three matches. As they continue their campaign, attention now turns to their rivals, with Real Madrid set to face Las Palmas on Thursday and Atletico Madrid hosting Espanyol on Wednesday. The battle for early dominance in La Liga is heating up, and Barcelona, buoyed by their latest win, are determined to stay ahead of the pack.
