View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Barca Bounce Back To Claim Maiden LaLiga Win

Barca Bounce Back To Claim Maiden LaLiga Win

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 20: Pedro Gonzalez Pedri of FC Barcelona celebrates his goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Cadiz CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 20, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

FC Barcelona secured their first win of the LaLiga season after defeating Cadiz 2-0 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday night.

LaLiga

Result: Barcelona 2-0 Cadiz

Date: 20 August 2023

Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

The home side were without head coach Xavi Hernandes who is serving the first of his two-match ban for criticising the officials after last week's stalemate against Getafe.

There were two changes from the draw, as Gavi and Yamal Lamine were recalled in place of the injured Ronaldo Araujo and Raphinha, who was also sent off seven days ago as Frenkie de Jong moved in defence.

It was all Barcelona in the first half as they went in search of the opening goal, with Pedri and Robert Lewandowski seeing their close-range headers saved by Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma.

Cadiz were no match for the Catalan giants last season after losing 2-0 at the Camp Nou and 4-0 on home soil, but they certainly gave a better account of themselves this time around although clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

The visitors were a bit more lively in the second half and went close to finding a breakthrough via Ruben Alacaraz, who sent a first-time strike just wide while Gavi hit the crossbar at the other end moments later.

With the sides struggling to get the break through, the defending champions responded with a double change just after the hour mark as Gavi and Alejandro Balde made way for Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Ansu Fati.

The home side should have opened the scoring with 15 minutes left on the clock when Joules Kounde picked out Lewandowski with an inviting cross, but the Polish striker sent his header wide of the target.

With time running out, Barcelona finally got their reward in the 82nd minute when Ilkay Gundogan showed great vision to pick out a wonderful pass for Pedri, who bundled the ball home for his first goal of the season.

The win was made safe in second-half stoppage time when substitute Ferran Torres opened his account for the campaign with a calm finish beyond Ledesma after being set up by Lewandowski.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.

Click here to register!

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

How Pirates Could Line Up With New Signings

Jul 04, 2025 08:41 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Ndlovu, Monyane & Co! How Chiefs Could Line Up

Jul 06, 2025 02:58 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Sundowns Confirm Five Exits

Jul 07, 2025 07:27 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Sundowns Prepared To Break Record For New Signing?

Jul 04, 2025 02:59 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Official: African Star Re-Joins Al Ahly

Jul 05, 2025 03:34 PM in African Football

Sundowns Confirm Five Exits

Jul 07, 2025 07:27 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Latest: What's Holding Up Chiefs' Move For Sundowns Striker

Jul 07, 2025 09:54 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Aziz Ki Already On His Way Out Of Wydad?

Jul 06, 2025 11:47 PM in African Football

Chiefs Star Maart Set For SV Ried

Jul 07, 2025 08:31 AM in KC-Campaign