Sports

Rayo hold Lewandowski’s Barça 0-0

Barcelona, Aug 13 (EFE).- The remodeled Barcelona led by Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski had to settle for a scoreless draw Saturday against Rayo Vallecano in the 2022-2023 LaLiga opener for both teams.

The 81,000-plus who packed into Camp Nou on a sweltering night in the Catalan capital saw plenty of action, but a point must have seemed like a poor return for the estimated $168 million Barça spent in the summer transfer window.

The hosts had two goals – Lewandowski and Franck Kessie – called back for offside and Radamel Falcao’s apparent stoppage time winner for Rayo was likewise disallowed.

Barcelona had more than two-thirds of the ball, outshot the visitors 21-4 and won eight corners to none for Rayo, yet the home side’s performance indicates that it will take time for the new acquisitions to gel into a cohesive unit.

Rayo benefited from a sound tactical setup and solid play by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who made four saves, and an impressive goal-line block by defender Florian Lejeune to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. EFE gmh/dr

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