Robert Lewandowski’s Barcelona debut ended in a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou in their first La Liga game of the season on Saturday.
It was a disappointing night for Barca, whose fans turned out to a near-sold-out stadium to see their new team led by Polish striker Lewandowski, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner, and Brazilian winger Rafinha.
Barcelona dominated the game with almost 70 percent possession and 18 attempts on goal to Rayo’s two.
But the two best chances fell to the visitors, Alvaro Garcia thwarted by a brilliant save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergio Camelo firing wide.
Rayo’s five-man defense did a great job of containing Lewandowski, who barely touched the ball all game.
Most of Barca’s chances in the first half came from wings Rafinha and Dembele, who linked up well and threatened the team in attack.
Image: Lewandowski, right, shoots past Rayo’s Florian Lejeune
Barca manager Xavi Hernandez tried to break the deadlock by sending strikers Ansu Fati and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the bench, but Rayo showed real courage to hold on for the draw.
As frustration mounted for Barca, their captain Sergio Busquets lost his cool and was sent off for elbowing Falcao Garcia in the face in stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrijevski kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive time against Barcelona after Rayo won both games against the Spanish giants last season.
He made several crucial stops in the second half, one from Busquets’ long-range shot and another from Rafinha’s shot.
“We tried as hard as we could, but we lacked focus and efficiency. Maybe the pressure and the expectations got under our skin a little bit,” Xavi told DAZN.
“It will be a process, Rayo knew how to defend deep and stick to his strategy with extreme discipline.
“We have to be patient and keep working. Better days will come.”
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