Marc Bernal suffers knee injury as Dani Olmo's debut goal leads Barcelona to victory over Rayo Vallecano – Firstpost

Dani Olmo marked his belated debut for Barcelona with a goal to secure a 2-1 comeback win at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Tuesday. The Spanish playmaker's 82nd-minute strike helped Barcelona to their third win in three games under new coach Hansi Flick at the start of the season.

Barca were only able to register Olmo for La Liga earlier in the day after signing him from RB Leipzig, and he made an immediate impression after coming on as a substitute at Rayo's Vallecas Stadium.

Unai Lopez gave Rayo a first-half lead against a weak Barca, but Olmo came on at half-time to liven up the Catalans, who equalised through Pedri before the new signing scored the winner.

“(I've been waiting to play) since I arrived and I'm looking forward to the first game, the debut, and what better way to celebrate,” Olmo told DAZN.

“I was really looking forward to it, felt physically ready to play and today it finally happened.

“I am very happy to have made my debut and helped the team.”

In the closing stages, 17-year-old defensive midfielder Marc Bernal was substituted with a twisted knee and Flick was worried about the youngster, who had impressed at the start of the season.

“It is a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured and things are not looking good,” said the German coach.

“We have to wait until tomorrow and see how difficult it is.

“We win, that’s OK, but when you look at the dressing room, nobody is happy.”

Rayo Vallecano, which is celebrating its centenary, signed former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez earlier this week, who watched the capital club's strong start from the presidential box.

The hosts went on the offensive with determination and were rewarded when Jorge De Frutos stormed forward on the right and crossed to Lopez, who finished with a low shot at the near post.

Rayo managed to keep Barcelona's threat to a minimum in the first half, apart from the few occasions when teenage star Lamine Yamal was able to work his magic.

Flick took Ferran Torres off at half-time and brought on Olmo for his debut after the latter missed the first two league games while waiting for Barcelona to get their finances in order to complete his registration.

When Olmo came into the game, he took up a central attacking midfield position, while Brazilian winger Raphinha returned to playing on the left flank.

The former Barça academy player was quickly able to put his stamp on the proceedings and the Catalans began to create chances.

Polish veteran Robert Lewandowski should have equalized, but was unable to get a good touch on Raphinha's dangerous cross near the goal.

Raphinha's free kick went just wide and Olmo hammered his 25-meter shot onto the crossbar.

Barca applied pressure and Pedri equalised after an hour after an exchange of passes with Raphinha and converted the ball into the goal.

“A beautiful goal”

Ten minutes later, Barca thought they could score a second goal, but Yamal's shot was blocked and Lewandowski made room to slot the rebound home.

However, the goal was controversially disallowed due to a VAR referral after the referee awarded Jules Kounde a foul for making slight contact with Pep Chavarria's foot during the build-up.

The guests did not lick their wounds for long, kept up the pressure and Olmo finished confidently after Yamal had given him a pass.

“I'm always a player who tries to score goals. Lamine found me well and I finished well, a beautiful goal, I'm very happy,” added Olmo.

Barcelona played in the second half with an energy that had often been lacking in the closing stages of games in recent years, and the team looked much fitter under Flick.

The victory guarantees Barca the lead in the table after the third round of matches, despite various injury problems to key players such as Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.

Bernal has started all three of Barcelona's games this season and the club will be hoping he doesn't end up on the long-term injury list.

Champions Real Madrid visit Las Palmas on Thursday, while Atletico Madrid host Espanyol on Wednesday, among other matches.