Barcelona began their pre-season tour in impressive fashion, securing a 3-1 victory against Vissel Kobe in a friendly match that showcased a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. The match, played in Kobe, Japan, saw several debutants making their mark, offering Barcelona fans a glimpse into the future.
The first half saw a near full-strength Barcelona side take the initiative against the J-League champions. The Catalan side dominated possession, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal posing constant threats. Eric Garcia opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a scramble in the box following a corner. However, Vissel Kobe responded just before halftime, with Taisei Miyashiro pouncing on a rebound after Barcelona's debutant goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, made an initial save.
Hansi Flick made wholesale changes at halftime, introducing a host of new faces, including Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford and young sensation Roony Bardghji. The second half substitutions injected fresh energy into the game, with Barcelona regaining control and creating several opportunities. Bardghji, a highly-rated teenage winger, made an instant impact, scoring in the 77th minute after a pass from Robert Lewandowski to put Barcelona ahead.
The scoring was completed by another debutant, Pedro "Dro" Sarmiento, who unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the area in the 87th minute. The 17-year-old's powerful volley sealed the victory for Barcelona and left a lasting impression on the fans.
The match provided valuable insights into Barcelona's squad depth and the potential of their new signings and youth players. Joan Garcia, who joined Barcelona from Espanyol, had a decent outing in goal, making a couple of important saves. Marcus Rashford, playing on loan from Manchester United, showed glimpses of his quality and linked up well with his new teammates.
However, it was the performances of the teenage debutants, Roony Bardghji and Pedro Fernandez, that stole the show. Bardghji's composed finish and Fernandez's spectacular goal demonstrated their immense talent and potential. These performances have provided Barcelona fans with plenty of optimism for the future.
The victory over Vissel Kobe marks a positive start to Barcelona's pre-season campaign. The team will now travel to South Korea for two more friendlies, against FC Seoul on July 31st and Daegu FC on August 4th. These matches will provide further opportunities for Hansi Flick to assess his squad and fine-tune his tactics ahead of the new La Liga season, which begins on August 16th with an away game against Mallorca. Barcelona will be aiming to defend their La Liga title and make a strong impression in the UEFA Champions League.
