Latest news with #BarçaUniversal
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three takeaways from FC Seoul 3-7 Barcelona
A 7-3 scoreline headlined Barcelona's second pre-season game on their Asia tour as they demolished local favourites FC Seoul in South Korea on Thursday. The Catalans took a quick 2-0 lead on the day after quickfire goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, but soon allowed the hosts to equalise. Lamine Yamal, however, found a late goal in the half to ensure Hansi Flick's side kept the lead. After the break, however, a completely different Barcelona turned up and stole the game away from FC Seoul's grasp. Goals from Andreas Christensen, Gavi and a brace from Ferran Torres took the score to seven for Barcelona. The hosts did pull one goal back in the 85th minute, but the game was already settled at that point. Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from FC Seoul 3-7 Barcelona. Fringe team shows more character As good as Barcelona looked in the opening half with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Co. on the field, the fringe lineup that played after the break significantly outperformed them. With a long and hectic season ahead, labelling players as starters and fringe names may well be unfair, for each member of the squad will prove equally valuable. Yet, every player who played after the break had a case to make, and they did so convincingly. If each half of the game is accounted for individually, the second period ended 4-1 in the Catalans' favour while the first half was a narrow 3-2. To have usual substitutes pull off such a display in pre-season, needless to say, is as encouraging as it gets. Andreas Christensen shone in defence with a surprising centre-back partner in Gerard Martin, who looked comfortable in the department. Jofre Torrents made a strong case to see regular minutes at left-back, while Hector Fort also impressed with his movement. Gavi was a standout in midfield and controlled the play with every buildup passing via him for over half an hour. Fermin Lopez put in a performance magnitudes better than his show against Vissel Kobe, and was critical in the playmaking. Roony Bardghji had a more silent game than last time, albeit still impressing with his movement in tight spaces and neat tricks. Ferran Torres scored a brace while Marcus Rashford racked up his first assist as a Barcelona player. Defence needs further testing Flick needs to find a way to tighten his defensive unit. (Photo by) As good as the team were scoring seven goals in ninety minutes, the manager will reflect critically on the three goals conceded as he must. It may be pre-season, but the defence has not looked convincing after all. Barcelona's high defensive line cost the team heavily in the UEFA Champions League last season, and the manager was expected to bring a new dynamic to the table this term. The first two games, however, have seen defenders repeat individual errors. Pau Cubarsi, for all his brilliant ball-playing ability, has looked error-prone in both games so far. At this point, in fact, it's safe to say that Andreas Christensen has been the squad's best player in the position. The Cubarsi-Inigo partnership in the first game looked shakily decent, but far from convincing. The manager, thus, may well be forced to test out new defensive combinations before the season begins to identify which two of his four centre-backs complement each other the best and bring out the most well-rounded pairing. In good rhythm The biggest takeaway from Barcelona's performance on Thursday, as a carry forward from the previous game, is that the team looks very sharp for a side still in a second pre-season game. So far, Hansi Flick's side have shown great cohesion across the park, a fresh sense of attacking intent and a serious sense of stability through the middle, something one would not expect so early on in the season. The additions of Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji have all elevated the level of the squad, and all three players looked good once more on Thursday to provide the manager an assurance that they can be valuable. There is, thus, a huge sense of optimism heading towards the official start of the season that is just around the corner. Barcelona are in good rhythm, and the win over FC Seoul only reinforced that idea.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three talking points from Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
Barcelona's third game of the season against Benfica was as entertaining as their previous meetings have been, although the team was far more dominant on this occasion and much more ruthless. It was always clear that the first goal on under night would be critical in deciding the flow of the game and Raphinha delivered that much-needed goal for Barcelona in just the 11th minute. Benfica's instant response with an equaliser reduced Barcelona's lead back to just one goal but Yamal and Raphinha struck again to make it 4-1 on aggregate and assure the dressing room of a place in the quarterfinal. Barça Universal brings you three talking points from Barcelona 3-1 Benfica. There may not be two better wingers in world football than Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at this moment and Barcelona are lucky to have both in their ranks. The duo, despite having contrasting playing styles, have a common threat factor in the final third and last night exemplified how ruthless they can be with quality and precision. Lamine was at the heart of Barcelona's first two goals against Benfica and produced moments of magic on both occasions to create goals out of thin air. His dribble to get into the Benfica box for the opener was a thing of beauty as left the defence bamboozled and found a perfectly timed cross to Raphinha. His goal was one of superior beauty as he chipped the ball over the defence into the back of the net from a distance. Yamal's threat down the right flank was a constant during his time on the field and he created openings with almost every attacking push. Raphinha, meanwhile, was the epitome of precision. He was at the right place at the right time to score off Yamal's assist and then struck from distance with a precise shot to complete his brace. While the limelight is rightfully focused on Yamal and Raphinha, Barcelona's defence put up a sensational shift to constantly hold the offside trap and keep Benfica from coming back into the game after their early goal. Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde, in particular, were simply dominant. The former replaced Pau Cubarsi at centre-back last night and a lot was said about how his deployment would have a negative impact if Barcelona were to play a high-line. Araujo, however, showed that he is adapting to Flick's plans as he held his line to near perfection and never looked like a loose screw. His distribution was promising and he deserves credit for the manner in which he not only resiliently defended but kept Benfica constantly offside. Balde also enjoyed a very special night and was simply unplayable at left-back for Barcelona. Despite being tasked with a serious defensive task, the Spaniard terrorised Benfica's right flank as he constantly pushed forward and got past his men to break free. In fact, it was he who pioneered Barcelona's third goal on the night through a vicious counter-attack which Raphinha eventually converted. The 3-1 scoreline last night and the 4-1 result on aggregate meant Barcelona qualified for the next round of the UEFA Champions League and into the business end of the campaign. Despite facing serious pressure against Benfica, especially in the first leg, Barcelona kept their cool and completed their win with reasonable comfort. Last night's game with 22 players on the field was decided before half-time and it is clear that the team are still going strong. Now into the final eight, Barcelona will meet one of Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarterfinal. The first leg in Germany ended in a 1-1 draw and Lille have the home advantage for tonight's eliminator. The rest of the road to Munich is also shaping up well with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich both winning their games and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Barcelona will meet the winner of the game between the two giants in a potential semifinal. The biggest development of the night, needless to say, was the elimination of Liverpool at the hands of PSG. The top-placed team in the league stage is thus out of the competition now and will not threaten Barcelona's chances of tasting the silverware in any capacity.
