The new-look Barcelona unit were held to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou in their first game of the new season.
The Spanish league is off and running, with some pretty jaw-dropping results on Day 1. All eyes were on Barcelona, wh,o despite their financial predicaments, made some stellar signings to keep themselves relevant in the league and European competitions.
Xavi Hernandez named three of his new signings in the starting XI – Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Andres Christensen, whilst Franck Kessie was on the bench. The Vallecano defenders had to be alert every minute, with Barcelona knocking on the doors. Lewandowski got a goal in the 12th minute and wheeled away in celebration, only to realise he was off-side.
The consistent pressure from the Catalans didn’t prove to be enough on the day, and despite bringing on five substitutions, they struggled to break through the visitors. Sergio Busquets was sent off in the stoppage time of the second half for a second bookable offence, as Barcelona finished the game 0-0 with 10 men.
There was plenty of criticism on Unai Emery from last season that his team busts up too much energy in the first half and ends up giving away points in the second. The new season began a little differently for them, with the side scoring thrice against Real Valladolid in the second 45 after a goalless first half.
Four minutes into the second half, Nicolas Jackson found himself in a great position in close range and scored the first goal of the evening. Substitute Alex Baena made his mark with a sensational long-range goal in the final 10 minutes, and soon after, he got another towards the end of normal time.
There was some quintessential La Liga drama at Balaidos, where Celta Vigo and Espanyol played out a 2-2 draw. The game had its share of talking points right from the get-go, but the biggest one remained the late penalty in stoppage time. Iago Aspas scored for the hosts at the stroke of half-time. Goncalo Paciena made it two around the hour mark, which seemed to have sealed their three points.
But Espanyol had a stellar comeback which no one saw coming. After Edu Exposito flared comeback hopes with a goal in the 72nd minute, a foul from Oscar Mingueza in the fourth minute of stoppage time got Espanyol a penalty. After the VAR check was done, Joselu converted the penalty and rounded off a terrific opening game for the visiting unit.
