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Goalless debut: Robert Lewandowski despaired with FC Barcelona at Rayo Vallecano
Photo: IMAGO/Pressinphoto
Robert Lewandowski experienced a small setback with FC Barcelona at the start of the La Liga season.
The Blaugrana were held to a goalless draw against Madrid district club Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou.
Captain Sergio Busquets was sent off in injury time with a yellow card for repeated foul play (90+3).
Coach Xavi was able to fall back on most of his stars: It was only late on Friday evening that the Catalan club, which was struggling with financial problems, was able to register some of its summer additions to the league in the form of Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Franck Kessié.
It was also uncertain whether Ousmane Dembélé and Sergi Roberto, who had extended their contracts in the summer, would be allowed to play.
In his first competitive game after moving from FC Bayern Munich to Spain, Lewandowski didn't play badly, but it was an unfortunate game: A supposed debut goal via lob was taken back due to an offside position (13').
For a long time, Barça found little means against the well-organized Rayo defense, just before the half-time break Álvaro García even had the best chance of the first half for the guests (45 + 3).
The Barça offensive only got stronger towards the end of the game, and Lewandowski also had more chances, but missed the goal twice (82nd, 84th).
For the first time in seven years, the two-time world footballer remained without a goal in a season-opening game.
Barcelona in the closing stages with problems
In the eight-minute stoppage time, FC Barcelona were even lucky not to give up the game: Busquets first saw his second yellow card after losing the ball and only knowing how to help himself with a foul (90+3). .
Then Rayo cheered for a few seconds about a supposed scoop goal after a save by Marc-André ter Stegen - but here too there was a clearly recognizable offside position (90 + 5), so that it remained a draw.
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