Barcelona maintained their flawless start to the La Liga season with a tough 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, thanks in part to the game-changing impact of Dani Olmo.
Rayo Vallecano controlled the match early on, taking the lead through Unai Lopez’s goal in the ninth minute. However, the tide turned after Olmo was brought on at halftime. The €60 million summer acquisition had been awaiting his debut due to registration issues, but once on the pitch, he inspired Barcelona’s comeback.
Pedri scored the equalizer, and although Robert Lewandowski had a goal ruled out, it was Olmo who sealed the win with a well-placed finish in the 83rd minute, solidifying Barcelona’s position at the top of the standings with nine points from three matches.
Olmo’s debut was a dream come true after a challenging start to his time at Barcelona. He missed the first two matches due to the club’s struggle to fit him within La Liga’s salary cap, a situation that frustrated both him and his camp. Olmo only became eligible to play after Andreas Christensen was confirmed to have a long-term injury, allowing Barcelona to register a player in his place.
Now, there are concerns that Olmo may once again be ineligible come January if the club fails to fully comply with La Liga’s spending regulations before then. However, following his impactful performance, fans are likely to be more focused on the present than the future.
During the match, Olmo energized a lackluster Barcelona, showcasing great chemistry with teammates Pedri and Lamine Yamal. He made an immediate impact, nearly earning a penalty on his first touch and hitting the crossbar with a long-range shot. His stats included 39 touches, 21 passes completed at an 84 percent accuracy rate, and two successful dribbles.
Coach Hansi Flick praised Olmo’s influence on the team, highlighting his control of the ball and goal-scoring ability.
Pedri and Yamal were also key contributors to Barcelona’s success. Pedri, who made a quick recovery from injury, started alongside a defensive midfielder and was instrumental in the midfield. He played a crucial role in the equalizer, initiating a counter-attack and scoring himself. Despite being substituted after suffering a minor knock, he confirmed he was otherwise unscathed.
Yamal has emerged as a significant attacking threat for Barcelona. In the first three matches of the season, he has scored once and assisted three goals, including providing the assist for Olmo’s winner.
However, the night was marred by an injury to 17-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal. He suffered a knee injury in stoppage time and left the pitch in tears, later seen on crutches with his knee heavily bandaged. Coach Flick expressed concern about the severity of Bernal’s injury, indicating it might be serious enough to sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Further tests and scans are expected to take place at the club’s training facilities, but there appears to be little chance for Barcelona to secure a replacement given their difficulties with player registrations as the transfer window nears its end. Flick noted that the team has other players who can step up in midfield, hoping to recover some injured players after the international break.