FC Barcelona endured a frustrating evening at the Camp Nou as they started their LaLiga campaign with a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano.
Result: Barcelona 0-0 Rayo Vallecano
Date: 13 August 2022
Venue: Camp Nou
Blaugrana handed debuts to Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha. Franck Kessie started from the bench while Jules Kounde was not registered in time to feature.
Barca opened up Rayo's defence frequently in the early stages, but Ousmane Dembele had the first chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes after he was setup by Lewandowski in the box but his shot was smothered by shot-stopper Stole Dimitrievski at the near post.
Xavi's charges continued to create chances and Dembele had another go at goal ten minutes before the half-time break after cutting inside the box from an offload by Pedri but his strike was held firmly by Dimitrievski.
Rayo had breathing space towards the end of the first stanza and they had a big chance to break the deadlock from a counter-attack after Alvaro Garcia went clear on goal in the six-yard box but his attempted lob was saved by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The visitors nearly caught Barcelona cold early in the second stanza from another break-out attack after Sergio Camello slipped through on goal, rounded Ter Stegen but his curler sailed past the far post.
With Barcelona struggling in front of goal, Xavi made a triple change around the hour-mark, as Sergi Roberto replaced Christensen, Frenkie de Jong came on for Gavi in midfield and Anssumane Fati took the place of Raphinha in attack.
The changes helped Barcelona increase their intensity in attack and Sergio Busquets came close to breaking the deadlock 20 minutes before time with a thumping strike on the edge of the box that was pushed away towards the top corner by Dimitrievski.
Lewandowski had a chance to finally break the deadlock for Barca with nine minutes left after he found space unmarked in the box but his low curling shot missed the far post agonisingly wide.
Xavi had his last throw of a dice after that as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - a reported Chelsea target- replaced Jordi Alba in a tactical change and they pinned Rayo in their own half but still lacked the finishing touches.
However, Blaugrana were reduced to ten men in stoppage time after Busquets received a second booking for catching Radamel Falcao on his face with an elbow and was sent off.
Rayo almost stole all the three points at the death after Falcao found the back of the net from a scramble in the box but the goal was disallowed for offside, as the sides settled for a share of the spoils.
