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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 1
Aug 13, 2022 at 8pm UK
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Rayo Vallecano logo

Barcelona
0 - 0
Rayo Vallecano


Dembele (14'), Busquets (74')
Busquets (90+3')
FT

Trejo (45'), Catena (45+5'), Lejeune (54'), Falcao (69'), Ciss (86'), Dimitrievski (89')

Team News: Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha start for Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano

Team News: Lewandowski, Christensen, Raphinha start for Barcelona against Rayo
© Reuters
New signings Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha start for Barcelona in Saturday's 2022-23 La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona boss Xavi has named new signings Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha in his starting side for Saturday's 2022-23 La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano.

The Catalan outfit managed to register four of their summer signings on Friday, in addition to the contract renewals of Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele.

However, Jules Kounde is still waiting to be registered by the Catalan outfit, meaning that the central defender will not be involved on the opening weekend of the new campaign.

Ronald Araujo is set to line up at right-back against Rayo, while Christensen will be joined in the middle of the defence by Eric Garcia, with Jordi Alba lining up on the left of the back four.

There is no Frenkie de Jong in the starting XI amid the speculation surrounding his future, meanwhile, with Gavi and Pedri selected alongside Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in action in July 2022© Reuters

Dembele left Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of June before re-signing shortly after, and the France international will line up on the right of a front three.

Lewandowski - signed from Bayern Munich over the summer - is starting at centre-forward, with fellow new addition Raphinha set to play off the left for the Catalan outfit.

Ferran Torres has been struggling with a foot problem during pre-season, but the January arrival from Manchester City has been named on the bench.

Gerard Pique, Ansu Fati and new signing Kessie are also among the substitutes, with Xavi having a strong squad to choose from following a busy summer transfer window.

There are also spots on the bench for Memphis Depay and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with both players currently being linked with moves away from the club.

Raphinha is unveiled as a Barcelona player on July 15, 2022© Reuters

Sergino Dest was left out of the squad entirely, with the United States international currently being linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea.

Miralem Pjanic is also on the bench, with the 32-year-old back at Camp Nou following a loan spell at Besiktas, and he will be part of Xavi's plans for the new season.

"We have options to replace Busquets. There is Pjanic, who has convinced me and will stay," said the club's manager when questioned on his midfield options.

Alongside Dest, Samuel Umtiti and Martin Braithwaite are also not in the squad, with the duo widely expected to leave the Catalan giants before the end of the transfer window.

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, E Garcia, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha

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Barcelona attacker Raphinha celebrates scoring against Real Madrid on July 23, 2022
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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