La Liga: Dani Olmo Shines in Barcelona’s Dramatic 2-1 Comeback Victory Over Rayo Vallecano
La Liga 2024 Updates: On Tuesday, Dani Olmo had a spectacular debut for Barcelona by scoring the game-winning goal in a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
With this triumph, Barcelona has won three straight games under new head coach Hansi Flick.
In La Liga on Tuesday, Dani Olmo scored a goal to cap off his postponed Barcelona debut and secure a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano. 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 newcomer 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 to DAZN.
“I felt physically prepared to play, and I was really looking forward to it, and it finally happened today. “I am very happy to have made my debut and helped the team.”
Marc Bernal, a 17-year-old defensive midfielder who had impressed this season, was substituted off the game in the closing moments after it appeared that he had twisted his knee. Flick was concerned about the young player.
The German coach remarked, “It’s a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured and it looks not so good.”
We will have to wait till tomorrow to find out the exact weight.
“We win, it’s OK but when you see the dressing room nobody is happy.”
Celebrating their centennial, Rayo Vallecano signed former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez earlier in the week. Rodriguez witnessed the capital club’s impressive start from the presidential box.
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.
With the exception of the rare instances when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was able to produce magic, Rayo limited Barcelona’s threat in the first half.
Having missed their first two league games while waiting for Barcelona to receive their money so they could finish his registration, Flick hooked Ferran Torres at halftime and substituted Olmo for his debut. Olmo entered the battle and assumed a center attacking midfield role, with Raphinha, a winger for Brazil, returning to the left flank.
The former member of the Barcelona academy made an immediate impact on the game, and the Catalans began to create opportunities. When Raphinha crossed dangerously, veteran Polish player Robert Lewandowski had a chance to level the score but was unable to get a firm touch near to the goal.
Raphinha missed a free-kick by a tiny margin, while Olmo hit the crossbar with a 30-yard effort. Barca put on a show, and on the hour, Pedri scored a goal after trading passes with Raphinha and sweeping the goal.
Ten minutes later, Barca appeared to have a second when Lewandowski created space to tuck the rebound in after Yamal’s attempt was saved.
The referee controversially flagged Jules Kounde for a foul when he made slight touch with Pep Chavarria’s foot during the build-up, leading to the controversial disallowance of the goal following a VAR referral. Keeping up the pressure, the visitors did not lick their wounds for too long, as Olmo finished with style after Yamal set him up.
“I’m always a player who looks to score, Lamine found me well and I finished well, a good goal, I’m very happy,” said Olmo.
Barcelona looked noticeably fitter under Flick, and they played with a second-half vigor that has been lacking in recent years in the closing stages of games.
Despite a number of injuries hurting key players including Gavi, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong, the win ensures Barca will be at the top of the standings following the third round of games.
This season, Bernal has started each of Barcelona’s three games; the team is hoping he doesn’t end up on the long-term injured list. Champions Among other matches, Real Madrid travels to Las Palmas on Thursday while Atletico Madrid hosts Espanyol on Wednesday.
