Frustrated Barca Held To Goalless By Rayo, Eric Garcia: We Could Have Won

Eric Garcia (Instagram @ericgm3)

JAKARTA - Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano in their first game of the new La Liga season at Camp Nou when captain Sergio Busquets was sent off.

The Catalan club had 21 shots on target and had possession but were unable to break the deadlock.

Barca boss Xavi fielded new signings including defender Andreas Christensen, winger Raphinha and striker Robert Lewandowski, who was only able to feature after being registered in the league the previous Friday night.

The five-time Champions League winners will have to comply with La Liga's stringent financial rules before they can ensure the likes of Lewandowski are allowed into their squad ahead of the new season.

"We could have won, but now we have to correct our mistakes and think about Real Sociedad next weekend," said Barcelona defender Eric Garcia.

The hosts dominated the first half hour as Lewandowski failed to score on his competitive debut.

We need to keep working. It's just the first game of the season❞🗣 @ericgm3 pic.twitter.com/talB5Yr1x2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 13, 2022

The Polish forward was judged offside after receiving Ousmane Dembele's pass before his goal was disallowed by the referee.

Pedri came close to breaking the deadlock with 10 first-half minutes but his curling shot flew over the post.

Despite controlling the first half, Marc ter Stegen ensured the two teams remained level at halftime thanks to a save that stopped Rayo Alvaro Garcia's effort during injury time.

Barca continued their onslaught in the second half but were unable to beat Stole goalkeeper Dimitrievski.

Xavi then brought on Frenkie de Jong who replaced Gavi even though the Dutch midfielder was said to be leaving Catalonia to relieve the club's debts which also forced Lionel Messi to leave 12 months ago for the same reason.

With nine minutes remaining, de Jong played a one-two with Lewandowski but the 33-year-old striker's shot went off the post.

Seven minutes later another Barca new signing failed to score when midfielder Franck Kessie, signed from AC Milan, was offside before beating goalkeeper Dimitrievski.

Xavi's men ended the game with 10 men when Busquets was shown a red card for elbowing Falcao in the fourth minute of eight minutes of stoppage time.

Less than 60 seconds later, Falcao thought he had scored but was already offside.

Earlier, 21-year-old winger Alex Baena scored twice in his eighth La Liga appearance as Villarreal beat Real Valladolid 3-0.

Striker Joselu claimed a point for Espanyol at Celta Viga with a 97th-minute win to draw 2-2 after veteran Galician striker Iago Aspas scored his side's opener of the season for the third successive season.

In other matches, Celta Vigo drew 2-2 against Espanyol.

Celta went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Iago Aspas in the 45+2 minute and Gonçalo Paciência in the 63rd minute. The visitors Espanyol then equalized after getting two goals from Edu Exposito in the 72nd minute and Joselu in the 90+8 minute from the spot white.

A big victory was also recorded by Villarreal who rolled the hosts Real Valladolid 3-0.

All three Villarreal goals were scored by Nicolas Jackson in the 49th minute and Alex Baena who scored twice in the 81st and 90th minutes.