In summary:
- Barcelona extended their unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a come-from-behind win against Rayo Vallecano.
- The Spanish playmaker, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig, scored the winning goal in his debut.
- Barcelona overcame a first-half deficit to secure the victory thanks to goals from Pedri and Olmo.
Barcelona’s super sub Dani Olmo, scored in the 82nd minute to secure a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, extending their unbeaten start to the La Liga season.
Beginning the season, Barcelona had won three of their first four games under new manager Hansi Flick, thanks to a goal in the 82nd minute from the Spain playmaker.
Olmo, who Barca signed from RB Leipzig, didn’t register with La Liga until earlier in the day, but he had an immediate impact when he was introduced at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium.
The first half ended with Unai Lopez putting Rayo ahead against a flat Barca, but Olmo’s presence at halftime energized the Catalans, who equalized through Pedri before the Olmo scored the victory.
“I’ve been waiting to play since I arrived, looking forward to the first game, the debut, and what better way to mark it” Olmo stated.
“Today was the day it finally happened, and I am really happy to have made my debut and helped the team. I was really looking forward to it and felt physically ready to play.”
With deliberate effort, the hosts launched an attack, and they were rewarded when Jorge De Frutos advanced on the right and crossed for Lopez, who finished weakly at the near post.
Rayo minimized Barcelona’s threat in the first half, except when teenage star Lamine Yamal managed to work his magic.
Flick hooked Ferran Torres at halftime and threw on Olmo for his debut after he had missed their first two league matches waiting for Barcelona to get their finances in order to complete his registration.
With Olmo entering, he took up a central attacking midfield position, with Brazil winger Raphinha restored to the left flank.
The former Barcelona academy player quickly began to make his mark on proceedings and the Catalans started to generate chances.
Robert Lewandowski should have leveled but could not get a solid touch close to goal on Raphinha’s dangerous cross.
Raphinha whistled a free-kick narrowly wide and Olmo smashed a 30-yard drive against the crossbar.
Barca made the pressure count and Pedri leveled on the hour mark after exchanging passes with Raphinha and sweeping home.
