BARCELONA saw off a strong Juventus side in their final friendly before the La Liga season begins.
With the Lionel Messi affair still fresh in supporter’s minds, they were given something to cheer about as Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite netted either side of half-time.
And to cap off the result, Riqui Puig curled in a sensational late goal from the edge of the box.
- Final score: Barcelona 3-0 Juventus
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THAT’S ALL FROM CATALONIA
Barcelona won the Joan Gamper trophy thanks to a dominant 3-0 win over Juventus at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in their first match of the post-Lionel Messi era.
It was a difficult evening for Barca, who bid farewell to the legendary Messi, but the players gave the fans something to smile about.
The home crowd chanted Messi’s name throughout the encounter but seemed satisfied with what they saw on the pitch against a rather toothless Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was substituted at half-time.
The Blaugrana opened the scoring after just three minutes during a counter-attack when Yusuf Demir set Memphis Depay up in front of Wojciech Szczesny, whom the Netherlands international beat with ease.
Barcelona doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Memphis’ crisp corner found Martin Braithwaite unmarked inside the box and the Denmark international beat Mattia Perin with a clinical header.
The Catalan giants made it three during the second minute of stoppage time when 21-year-old Riqui Puig channeled his inner Messi and fired a wonderful curling shot from the edge of the box that gave Perin no chance.
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GETTY IMAGES KOEMAN REACTS
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is pleased with his team’s performance but insists there’s still a lot of work to do.
Koeman said: “We played a great game.
“It is always important to have the best but we will not change our ideas.
“We have to keep working”
PIQUE REACTS
Barcelona star Gerard Pique admitted this has been a “difficult day” for the club.
Pique also appears to have taken a swipe at Barca’s past regimes claiming they had “not been the best”.
The defender said: “It has been a difficult day but we start with a lot of excitement.
“The management of recent years has not been the best and has penalised us”
GAMPE-ONES
Barcelona have won their 44th Joan Gamper Trophy following their 3-0 victory over Juventus.
Barca captain Sergio Busquets was handed the trophy in front of a lively home crowd at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
This marks the Blaugrana’s first trophy in the post-Lionel Messi era!
Not a bad way to end a gloomy day…
HOW WERE BARCA WITHOUT MESSI?
Barcelona were obviously missing Lionel Messi’s influence, creativity, movement and talent tonight against Juventus.
But Barca held their own very well despite missing Messi as well as other key players, such as Sergio Aguero, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Clement Lenglet, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Oscar Mingueza.
The Blaugrana beat a strong Juventus side decisively with some beautiful passing football, impressive positioning and high pressing.
However, the Catalans had always a star player to rely on throughout the ages, such as Johan Cruyff, Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Messi.
A power vacuum has been created and someone needs to step up; and there are some serious contenders, like Antoine Griezmann, Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong
GETTY IMAGES MESSI-ESQUE FINISH
Barcelona ace Riqui Puig rolled back the years in front of a very nostalgic home crowd at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Puig got a pass from Nico Gonzalez on the edge of the box and turned around wonderfully before firing a beautiful curling shot.
The ball ended up in the bottom left corner of Mattia Perin, who was completely unable to react.
Could the 21-year-old be on his way to greatness…?
Check it out:
STATS
Barcelona dominated 69 per cent of possession throughout the match against Juventus.
Barca registered a total of 13 shots, six of which were on target.
Juve recorded the exact same return but didn’t give much for Neto to worry about.
Bianconeri manager Massimiliano Allegri has a lot to ponder on ahead of the new season
FT: BARCELONA 3-0 JUVENTUS
Barcelona won the Joan Gamper trophy following a dominant win over Juventus at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
It has been a difficult day for Barca, who bid farewell to the legendary Lionel Messi, but the players gave the fans something to smile about.
The home crowd chanted Messi’s name throughout the encounter but seemed pleased with what they saw on the pitch against a rather toothless Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was substituted at half-time.
The Blaugrana opened the scoring after only three minutes during a counter-attack when Yusuf Demir set Memphis Depay up in front of Wojciech Szczesny, whom the Netherlands international beat with ease.
Barcelona doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Memphis’ crisp corner found Martin Braithwaite unmarked inside the area and the Denmark international beat Mattia Perin with a clinical header.
The Catalans made it three during the second minute of stoppage time when 21-year-old Riqui Puig channeled his inner Messi and fired a wonderful curling shot from the edge of the box that gave Perin no chance
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL-TIME IN CATALONIA!!!!!!
BARCELONA 3-0 JUVENTUS
90+2 What a goal by Barcelona youngster Puig!
The 21-year-old gets the ball on the edge of the box, turns around and delivers a wonderful left-footed shot that ends up in Juventus’ bottom right corner and gives Perin no chance to react.
Almost Messi-esque!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!
BARCELONA MAKE IT THREE WITH PUIG!!!!!!!
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
90 We’re into stoppage time now and Barcelona are pushing for a third goal.
Barca’s youngsters want to prove themselves to Koeman ahead of the new season.
Two more minutes to go…
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
88 Barcelona continue to dominate possession and pace with their youngsters on the pitch.
Juventus boss Allegri has a lot of work to do this season…
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
86 SUBSTITUTION
Barcelona boss Koeman continues to ignore Coutinho and Pjanic.
And thus, Collano replaces Griezmann
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
85 Juventus have been very toothless throughout the match.
This has been an easy game for Barcelona’s backline and Neto
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
82 YELLOW CARD
Barcelona ace Emerson gets booked for a rough challenge
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
80 Barcelona boss Koeman is giving minutes to his young players and ignores experienced stars like Coutinho and Pjanic.
The Barca manager is showing his intentions ahead of the rest of the summer transfer window.
Remember, the Blaugrana still need to balance the books, even after Messi’s departure
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
79 SUBSTITUTION
Juventus boss Allegri gives a few minutes to De Winter, who takes De Sciglio’s place
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
79 CHANCE!
Memphis breaks inside the area and gets a deflection, which he claims is a handball.
The Balde, I believe, fires a shot from close range and forces an impressive save from Perin
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
78 SUBSTITUTION
Barcelona boss Koeman brings Manaj on for Braithwaite during the last few minutes of the match
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
75 Here’s how Barcelona doubled their lead.
Memphis found Braithwaite with a wonderful corner-kick and the Denmark international beat Perin with ease
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
73 This has been a difficult day for Barcelona, who lost Messi.
But the team has been giving the fans something to smile about, that’s hwo crucial Braithwaite’s goal is
GETTY IMAGES BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
71 SUBSTITUTION
Barcelona boss Koeman introduced Puig and Balde, who replace Roberto and Alba respectively
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
70 Juventus have significantly slowed down after their earlier surge and Braithwaite’s goal.
Barcelona are totally comfortable on the pitch
BARCELONA 2-0 JUVENTUS
68 CHANCE
Griezmann fires a free-kick from the edge of the box but hits Bonucci’s face.
Emerson tries a shot on the rebound but completely misses the target.
Bonucci is down on the ground after the impact but nothing worrying
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
