Barcelona's thrilling 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga was marred by an injury to their 17-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal. The young talent was forced off the pitch after appearing to twist his knee, raising concerns for new coach Hansi Flick, who expressed his worries about Bernal's condition after the match.
The game also marked a memorable debut for Dani Olmo, who was finally registered with La Liga earlier in the day after his move from RB Leipzig. Olmo came off the bench at halftime and quickly made his presence felt, scoring the decisive goal in the 82nd minute to complete Barcelona's comeback and secure their third win in as many games under Flick's leadership.
Rayo Vallecano took an early lead through Unai Lopez, capitalizing on a lackluster first-half performance from Barcelona. However, the introduction of Olmo rejuvenated the Catalan side. Olmo's energy and creativity were evident as he immediately made an impact, helping Barcelona level the score through Pedri, who scored after a quick exchange with Raphinha.
Reflecting on his debut, Olmo shared his excitement: "I've been looking forward to playing since I arrived. It finally happened today, and I'm very happy to have helped the team with my goal."
Despite the victory, coach Hansi Flick had mixed emotions due to Bernal's injury. "It’s a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured, and it looks not so good," Flick stated. "We have to wait until tomorrow to see how serious it is. We win, but when you see the dressing room, nobody is happy."
Rayo Vallecano, celebrating their centenary year, had a strong start, with new signing James Rodriguez watching from the stands. The hosts controlled much of the first half, keeping Barcelona at bay, apart from a few flashes of brilliance from teenager Lamine Yamal.
Flick's tactical adjustments at halftime, including replacing Ferran Torres with Dani Olmo, proved pivotal. Olmo slotted into a central attacking role, and his influence grew as he orchestrated Barcelona’s comeback, highlighted by his winning goal after a setup from Yamal.
Barcelona appeared fitter and more energized in the second half, a noticeable improvement under Flick’s management. The victory keeps Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table despite dealing with multiple injuries to key players such as Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo.
The club now waits for updates on Marc Bernal's condition, hoping the young midfielder does not join the list of long-term absentees. With a strong start to the season, Barcelona aims to maintain its momentum as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid prepare for their upcoming matches later in the week.
