New signing Dani Olmo celebrated his Barcelona debut with a brilliant goal to seal a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga 2024 on Wednesday. Barca were unable to register Olmo in La Liga after signing him from RB Leipzig but they did it before the game. He made an instant impact after being brought on at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium. Olmo also hit the crossbar once before scoring the goal. The Spanish playmaker’s 82nd-minute strike helped Barcelona claim their third win from three matches under new coach Hansi Flick.

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La Liga 2024: What happened in the game?

Unai Lopez sent Rayo ahead early in the first half. Barcelona struggled in the first half but it completely changed in the second half. Olmo came on at the break and changed the game. Barcelona played with an energy in the second half which has been missing late in games in recent years. 

Pedri scored from a beautiful first-time shot off Raphinha's cross in the 60th minute to level the scoreline. Robert Lewandowski scored but his goal was disallowed due to Kounde's foul on a Rayo player in the buildup. The winning goal arrived late in the 82nd minute. The debutant pulls off a great left-footed finish from Lamine Yamal's pass.

“Since I arrived, looking forward to the first game, the debut, and what a better way to start,” Olmo told DAZN. “I was really looking forward to it, I felt physically ready to play, and it finally happened today. I am very happy to have made my debut and helped the team,” he added.

“I’m always a player who looks to score, Lamine found me well and I finished well, a good goal, I’m very happy,” Olmo further added. Barca are at the top of the table after the third round of matches, despite various injury issues affecting important players. Marc Bernal is the latest one to get registered on that list.

The 17-year-old defensive midfielder Marc Bernal was taken off after twisting his knee and it's not looking good for the youngster, who has impressed at the start of the season.

“It’s a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured and it looks not so good,” said the German tactician. “We have to wait until tomorrow to wait and see how heavy it is. We win, it’s OK but when you see the dressing room nobody is happy.”

📲| Dani Olmo on instagram.

“Lots of strength. We all are with you. 💙❤️” pic.twitter.com/DKNU6h1a73

— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) August 27, 2024

Bernal has started all three of Barcelona’s games this season and Flick will be hoping that he gets back the young lad early.

Raphinha scored a brace while Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor scored a goal each to help FC Barcelona return to winning ways in La Liga after three games against Mallorca at the Son Moix Stadium on Tuesday. With this win, Hansi Flick's men extended their lead at the points table to four points.

Torres at the top for Barcelona

After three winless games, Hansi Flick changed his playing eleven for the away fixture. He included Ferran Torres in the most advanced role while benching Robert Lewandowski for the match. Inaki Peña, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde formed the defensive lineup for the Catalan club while Pedri, Marc Casadó, and Dani Olmo were given the responsibility of controlling the midfield.

Captain Raphinha and Lamine Yamal continued as the offensive players for Flick.

Barcelona looked into control from the minute go by trapping the home side offside quite a few times before scoring in the first real opportunity they got. In the 11th minute of the match, Ferran Torres took advantage of a mix-up in defence between Valjent and Mojica and scored the first goal of the night for Barcelona.

Eight minutes later, Torres could have doubled the lead, but Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman stopped the Spaniard's efforts from a great ball by Balde.

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Yamal and Raphinha ripped through the defence in second half

However, after the goal, the Mallorcan defence tightened up to block countless attacks from the visitors and frustrate them till they found their way back right before the first half. In the 44th minute of the match, Pablo Maffeo got behind the Barcelona defence and found Vedat Muriqi with a great pass. The Kosovan striker did the rest to level the scoreboard.

Right after the second-half break, Barcelona looked at their best with both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha causing a few problems for the opponent's defenders. In the 53rd minute, Olmo found Lamine Yamal inside the box and Mojica fouled the Spaniard to hand Barcelona a penalty. Raphinha stepped up and restored the lead for his team in the 55th minute.

In the 74th minute, Lamine Yamal made a picture-perfect assist from right to find Raphinha in the far post for Barcelona's third goal of the night; his 11 of the season in 16 league games. With the game nearly in the pocket, Flick made a few substitutions and Frenkie de Jong found the net coming off from the bench. He scored Barca's fourth goal from a rebound ball in the 79th minute.

Pau Victor, another sub for the La Liga table topper, rounded off the score line after an interception. With this win, Barcelona returned to winning ways in the Spanish league after three games.

Barcelona are currently leading the league table with 37 points after 16 games while Real Madrid are following them with 33 points after 14 games.
 

A remarkable crop of young talent continues to grace the football world in 2024, with under-21 players attracting enormous attention and high prices. In addition to being the sport's future, these up-and-coming talents are already having a big influence on their teams and the global scene. 

These U21 players are not only influencing the success of their clubs but also changing the economics of contemporary football as transfer markets soar to previously unheard-of heights. Let's take a look at the players leading the list.

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Lamine Yamal- €181M

While goals may garner media attention in contemporary football, playmakers' ingenuity and vision are equally important. With their remarkable assist totals and ability to set up goals, a wide range of players have been lighting up Europe's top divisions this season.

These players have all contributed something special to their clubs' attacking strategies, from Harry Kane's fresh playmaking role in the Bundesliga to Nuno Tavares' comeback in the Serie A, Sportz Point tells you all about those currently leading the chat.

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1. Nuno Tavares| 8 Assists| 8 Games

Nuno Tavares has been playing well this season and has emerged as a vital back-row playmaker. He has been an important outlet in the last third thanks to his dynamic runs down the left side which have contributed assists that demonstrate his speed and accuracy. 

Tavares has demonstrated an ability to coordinate play with the forwards, providing his team's attackers with precise crosses and intelligent through passes. Because he adds width and directness to his team's approach, his growth as a wing-back who can both defend and create scoring opportunities is a huge asset.

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2. Raphinha| 8 Assists| 12 Games

Raphinha, a right winger for Barcelona, has been a constant threat in attack thanks to his combination of flair, pace, and playmaking abilities. His assists this season demonstrate his vision and game-reading skills, as he frequently finds his teammates with fast, incisive passes or accurate, bending crosses. 

His ability to pull defenders out wide creates key openings for other players to take advantage of as well as the defensive work rate, which enables him to regain possession high up the pitch and swiftly convert it into goal-scoring opportunities, making him a well-rounded player. 

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3. Bukayo Saka| 7 Assists| 9 Games

Bukayo Saka has developed into one of the Premier League's most potent playmakers. He has continuously shown his inventiveness this season, delivering crosses with precise accuracy and weaving passes through tight defenders. 

The English-born star, who mostly plays on the right wing, has the exceptional ability to cut inside and open up space for teammates while using both feet to contribute significantly. His assists demonstrate both his technical proficiency and football understanding.

His teamwork with Arsenal's midfielders and forwards to create scoring opportunities. Saka's versatility has been essential to Arsenal's rhythm of attack.

4. Harry Kane| 7 Assists| 9 Games

Harry Kane, who is most known for scoring goals, has accepted a more creative role with Bayern Munich this season. The striker has become a crucial playmaker, setting up goals with amazing efficiency.

With his strength, passing range, and ball smartness. Kane, who plays deeper than in recent seasons, frequently draws defenders, making room for others and finding the box with sharp deliveries. 

His development into a more complete attacker who can set the pace and create opportunities for his teammates is demonstrated by his assists this season. As dangerous in an assisting role as he is in front of goal, Kane's playmaking has given Bayern an additional layer to their attack.

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5. Lamine Yamal| 7 Assists| 12 Games

Lamine Yamal, who is only 17, is already displaying the makings of one of Barcelona's most gifted players. Yamal has contributed multiple assists this season despite his young age, showcasing remarkable strength, dribbling prowess, and an innate ability to locate teammates in scoring positions. 

The Barcelona forward exploits his quickness to go past defenders and send crosses or short passes into the danger area. His pace and unpredictable nature make him hard to mark. His fast thinking and grasp of the game frequently result in assists.

Yamal is a young star to watch, and his contributions are only expected to grow with experience and time.

Robert Lewandowski has been reunited with manager Hansi Flick in FC Barcelona this season and since the start of the 2024-25 season, the veteran Polish forward has been in scintillating form having scored 19 goals in 16 matches across all competitions this season.

Lewandowski was the most important piece of puzzle for Flick's class of 2019-20 in Bayern Munich when the duo won the historic Sextuple in the 2019-20 season at Bayern Munich. Bayern became only the second team in history to achieve the honour of winning the Sextuple after FC Barcelona's iconic 2008-09 season. 

Robert Lewandowski became the highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and the DFB Pokal Cup in the 2019-20 season under the managerial radar of Hansi Flick. The Polish goal-machine played 71 games for the German club under Hansi Flick and he had a staggering 83 goals by his name across all competitions.

However, the German coach left Bayern in 2021 and Lewandowski moved to Barcelona in 2022. But after 3 years, the feared duo is reunited in FC Barcelona as Hansi Flick was appointed as Barca's head coach in July 2024. Now their paths have crossed again and Flick unleashed the beast in Lewandowski again and he is flying high in Spain and across the continent as well.

Lewandowski, the man who is the leading goalscorer at this moment in the top five European leagues this season, has also praised the German coach saying he is "working wonders" in FC Barcelona.

"What Hansi Flick is doing is incredible, not only with me, with everyone"

"Every player feels comfortable with Hansi Flick, we showed that today. We understand each other, even without words."

(via the El Clasico Post-match interview)

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Robert Lewandowski Stats under Hansi Flick

Bayern Munich | 2019-2021

FC Barcelona | (2024-present)*

*Stats are accurate as of 7 November 2024.

Luis Díaz netted a hat-trick to keep Liverpool at the top of the league table with a flawless record, while AC Milan shocked Real Madrid on their home turf. Celtic, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, GNK Dinamo, and Monaco also secured wins.

Meanwhile, Viktor Gyökeres scored three goals as Sporting CP pulled off the night’s biggest upset against Manchester City. Sit back and relax, as we bring all the updates of the match week 4 of the UEFA Champions League 2024 - 25 league phase round.

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Tuesday night's action

Sparta Praha 1-2 Brest

The away team was in fine form tonight, causing a consecutive defeat to Sparta Praha. Edimilson Fernandes opened the scoring in the 37th minute to give Brest an early advantage, which they doubled in the second half courtesy of an own goal by Sparta midfielder Kairinen in the 79th minute.

Victor Olatunji ensured that the visiting team did not leave with a clean sheet when he fired home a left-footed shot to the center of the goal at stoppage time.

Feyenoord 1-3 RB Salzburg

It was a tough night for Feyenoord, who lost Nadje to a red card in the 45th minute, allowing Salzburg to take advantage. Striker Karim Konate seized the opportunity, scoring twice.

Moussa pulled one back for Feyenoord in the 81st minute, but Salzburg wasn’t finished; Guindo struck in the 86th minute to secure a comfortable victory for the visitors.

Stuttgart 0-2 Atalanta