Rayo Vallecano held Barcelona to a pulsating goalless draw at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday evening — thwarting the Laliga giants dream start to the season.
Barcelona’s brisk business in the summer sent a certain signal that suggests they will always be the favorites in most of their domestic games.
They allayed fears of not registering their summer acquisitions even if they waited until the eleventh hour to get it done. Only Jules Kounde is yet to be registered.
Xavi paraded all the arsenal at his disposal — Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dembele led the attack as the Blaugrana sought to lay down a marker in front of a 81,104 crowd but Rayo Vallecano had other plans.
Barça looked very much the better side throughout. They dominated possession and took complete control of the game and practically played all the football in the opponent’s half but the cutting edge was not there.
Debutants Robert Lewandowski and Franck Kessie found the back of net but the flag was up for offside in both instances.
The visitors were not only defending as they had a fair share of chances but failed to make it count. Alvaro Garcia, the man who scored the winner in this fixture last season, came close but Ter Stegen brilliantly blocked his effort.
Sergio Camello also came close right after the restart but he let Barça off the hook.
Thus the Catalans endured a an enterprising 0-0 stalemate in a game they could have won by a wider margin.