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.
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