Luis Suarez's goal in 2019 was the Catalan's last against Rayo. That's three games in a row they have shut Barca out. Isi Palazon and Oscar Trejo were fun to watch at Camp Nou, but it was the team's shape and understanding which earned them the point. Iraola is a fantastic young coach and he has some talented players, despite not having a penny to spend. Rayo ended 12th last season in their first year back in the top flight and showed against Barca on Saturday that they are once again up for the fight despite having one of the league's smallest budgets. Let's see how quickly Xavi can knock this frontline into shape. It took until January of their first season together for Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to really take off. Substitute Ansu provided just as much as a spark when he came on, while Aubameyang saw a late chance cleared off the line. There was no instant connection between the three. Lewandowski tried to drive the team on, but nothing quite fell for him. Raphinha shone in preseason but wasted his best chances against Rayo. They may not all stay beyond the transfer window. Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay are waiting in the wings. Xavi has incredible depth available to him but throughout preseason he has shown a preference for Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dembele. Perhaps it was unrealistic to expect Barca's new-look attack to click straight away. ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)

Luckily for Barca, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was in good form to ensure they didn't suffer a third straight defeat to Andoni Iraola's team. There was almost a sting in the tail for the hosts, too, with Rayo carving their own chances. Busquets was shown a late red card for a second booking. The pre-game optimism of the 81,000 fans at Camp Nou turned to whistles in the second half as Dimitrievski time wasted at every opportunity. When chances fell Raphinha's way, he missed the target. Substitute Franck Kessie also had a goal ruled out for offside, while Sergio Busquets and Dembele were both denied by Dimitrievski. When Lewandowski did beat him early in the first half, the flag went up. Robert Lewandowski has been registered and he led the line, flanked in attack by fellow new signing Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, but none of them could find a way past Stole Dimitrievski in the visitor's goal. Barca do not have enough salary space to register the defender yet. Jules Kounde, though, watched from the stands. Three of their five new signings started here after most of them were registered with LaLiga just 24 hours before kick-off. Since losing to Rayo in April, Barca have spent over €150 million on new players. It was supposed to be different this time. It was, at least, better than the two 1-0 defeats they suffered against the same opposition last season. JUMP TO: Player ratings | Best/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Post-match quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixturesīarcelona's bright new future began with a stuttering goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Report: Barcelona 0-0 Rayo Vallecano | LaLiga table | Upcoming fixturesĮSPN's Sam Marsden has the reaction from Camp Nou. Barcelona dominated the game in possession and chances created, but Rayo held on to grind out a draw. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)īARCELONA - Xavi's new signings couldn't make the difference against Rayo Vallecano in their season opener at Camp Nou, which ended 0-0. Barcelona are looking to Lewandowski to deliver in front of goal, and will hope his showing against Rayo isn't a sign of things to come.

Unrealistic optimism.