The Catalans failed to score in their first game of the new season.
Barcelona drew 0-0 in their first game of the 2022-23 season. The Catalans’ fortified attacking line failed to deliver as Rayo escaped Camp Nou with one point.
Too soon to judge Barca?
Barcelona struggled to find their feet in the game early on while Rayo successfully closed down the spaces in their own half.
The guests didn’t try to hold the ball for too long, but their pressing prevented Barcelona from outpacing them in the first half.
Rayo even came close to scoring the opener late in the first half. However, Marc-André ter Stegen pulled off a fantastic save to block Alvaro Garcia’s shot.
Barca looked much improved in the second period, creating more chances behind Rayo’s backline.
Sergio Busquets came close to finding the back of the net just before the hour-mark, but Stole Dimitrievski blocked his shot with an incredible save.
Barca looked increasingly frustrated toward the end of the game, pushing harder for the opener. Following a foul on Falcao, the referee sent off Sergio Busquets after showing him his second yellow card of the night.
Rayo found the back of the net through Falcao only two minutes later. But the referee disallowed the goal for offside.
Ten-man Barca failed to score in the game’s eight-minute extra time, ending their first match of the season with a goalless draw.
The Catalans will face Real Sociedad in their next La Liga game.
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