Barcelona 5-2 Rayo Vallecano: Raphinha 19, 71, Yamal 21, 90, Lejeune 51 o.g.; Camello 12, 59
Barcelona continue to reap the rewards of a fluid frontline. With new €10m signing Gabriel Jesus watching on from the stands, Hansi Flick’s attacking contingent displayed the ruthlessness to their game in a 5-2 rout of Rayo Vallecano.
The Brazilian has largely operated as a central striker in his career, but he is also the master of drifting around the attacking third, and was used often enough as a winger by Pep Guardiola.
He will be playing as a backup to Raphinha, who started centrally again this week, and Jesus will be a successful signing if in that role he can be half as effective as his countryman, who got another brace here.
Lamine Yamal also doubled up as Barcelona recovered from falling behind early to maintain a perfect start to the season. Rayo had entered the game without a win from their opening two matches but were brave against the champions. Alvaro Garcia’s pull-back found Sergio Camello inside the area and the forward finished beyond the reach of Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia after 12 minutes.
It was the first time Barcelona had conceded this season and their response was impressive. Raphinha had already tested Dani Cardenas before finding the equaliser in the 19th minute, bamboozling defenders on his way into the box before driving hard and low into the bottom corner.
Yamal completed the turnaround only two minutes later. The Spain international cut inside from the flank and fired into the top corner for his first goal of the season.
Barcelona continued to create chances before the interval. Anthony Gordon was really good here, prominent down the left wing and creating threat after threat. On the evidence of this, Barcelona will be pleased with their decision to pay €80m for him and let go of Marcus Rashford. The England winger forced Cardenas into a save as the half wore on, before the Rayo goalkeeper was also required to keep out a Marc Bernal effort.
The visitors’ resistance was finally broken again six minutes after half-time, Gordon barrelling down the left to whip in a cross so dangerous it was turned into his own net by Florian Lejeune. Jules Kounde then had a goal disallowed for offside as the home side searched for further punishment.
Rayo refused to surrender and Camello gave them renewed hope before the hour when he flicked Unai Lopez’s corner beyond the goalkeeper for his second goal of the night.
But Barcelona soon restored their two-goal advantage through Raphinha. Gordon produced a clever backheel for the Brazilian, who calmly finished. Then Karim Adeyemi’s layoff released Yamal in the closing stages and he added the final touch.
