The Blaugrana have struggled to register their new arrival, but his first appearance was well worth the wait
Dani Olmo was the hero for Barcelona as the midfielder scored the winner on his debut in the Blaugrana’s 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday evening.
Hansi Flick's side had to come from behind to record a hard-fought victory in Madrid. In the 10th minute of the match, the host's worked a slick move down the right and Jorge de Frutos picked out Unai Lopez in the area. Lopez unleashed a fierce shot beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 1-0.
Cue something of a Barcelona siege, fuelled entirely by Lamine Yamal down the right. The 17-year-old saw a long-range effort saved by Vallecano goalkeeper Dani Cardenas and nearly set up Inigo Martinez, but the defender was unable to turn Yamal's cross home.
Flick turned to Olmo at half-time and the midfielder made an instant impact. He had a penalty appeal turned down and smashed the crossbar from 30 yards out, as a tactical switch that saw Raphinha move to the left proved threatening.
Barcelona's dominance eventually told on the hour mark. Pedri found Raphinha on the left and continued forward, his run into the area spotted by the Brazilian winger. Pedri's control left some work to do, but he got the ball out from under his feet and sent a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
And with 10 minutes to go, Yamal teed up his Spain team-mate Olmo, who couldn't be registered for the Blaugrana's first two league games, to turn the game on its head. The former RB Leipzig man sealed a dream debut when he placed his effort beyond Cardenas and into the far corner to make it three successive wins in the league for the Catalan outfit.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadio de Vallecas…
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Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Lopez's goal was sweetly struck but Ter Stegen will have been disappointed to be beaten at his near post.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Failed to keep a close eye on Barcelona's offside trap before Vallecano's opener.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
More experience for the teenager, who didn't have much to do after the host's early goal.
Inigo Martinez (6/10):
Tried to get Barcelona forward quickly with long, direct balls forward.
Gerard Martin (5/10):
Barcelona's left flank of Martin and Torres was ineffective in the first half. Was subbed off just after the hour mark.
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Marc Bernal (6/10):
The 17-year-old showed maturity beyond his years in another encouraging display.
Pedri (7/10):
Struggled in the first half but got Barcelona back into the game with a composed finish. Was subbed off after a nasty challenge from Pathe Ciss.
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Lamine Yamal (7/10):
Bright in the first half but faded slightly in the second, although he did set up Olmo's winner. Barcelona relied on the 17-year-old too much in the opening period but Olmo's presence should help to balance their attack.
Raphinha (7/10):
Shifted to the left upon Olmo's arrival at half-time and the extra space helped. Nearly scored from a free-kick before teeing up Pedri for Barcelona's equaliser.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Taken off at half-time after making little impact, with the majority of Barcelona's attacks going through Yamal on the right.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10):
The striker endured a very frustrating night, failing to get on the end of a tantalising Raphinha cross and seeing a goal disallowed for a foul in the build up by Kounde.
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Dani Olmo (8/10):
Changed the game with his arrival at half-time. The Spaniard injected energy with his direct approach and nearly scored a long-range screamer, before he grabbed Barcelona's winner with nine minutes to go with a fine left-footed effort. A debut well worth waiting for.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Was unable to impact the game too much but an improvement on Gerard Martin's effort.
Fermin Lopez (N/A):
Helped Barcelona see out the game upon his late arrival.
Pau Victor (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Hansi Flick (6/10):
Didn't get it right in the first half but the introduction of Olmo at half-time changed the game. The German's fine start to life at Barcelona continues.