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Barca frustrated after dropping points at Vallecano

FC Barcelona endured a frustrating afternoon as they had to battle back to rescue a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.

Xavi handed a first league start of the season to goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who came in for the injured Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, while Oriel Romeu, Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal also start for the visitors.

It was a lively affair in the early stages as Rayo's Oscar Valentin was denied by a fine save from Pena, before Pedro troubled Stole Dimitrievski at the other end with a powerful strike.

The Catalan giants saw a bit more of the ball as the first half went on but they were struggling to carve out any serious openings in the final third, with Yamal going closest with a strike.

However, the visiting side were breached on 39 minutes in superb style when Unai Lopez grabbed his first goal of the season with a superb first-time volley from around 30 yards out.

The Catalans came close to bagging the equaliser nine minutes after the interval when Oriol Remeu did well to pick out Ferran Torres, who saw his header kept out by Dimitrievski at the far post.

With Barcelona struggling to find the break through, Xavi threw on youngster Fermin Lopez and Raphinha after the 70-minute mark while the home side brought on Bebe and Keke Perez to freshen up their stall.

The defending champions got their reward with eight minutes to go when Alejandro Balde's first-time cross was turned home by Rayo's Florian Lejeune with Lewandowksi lurking in the box.

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