FC Barcelona traditionally opened the season with the Joan Gamper Trophy, this time against Italian first division club Como 1907 in front of many interested Blaugrana fans. They were treated to five goals and a highly dominant performance.
Every year, FC Barcelona hosts the Joan Gamper Trophy in front of thousands of its own fans in honor of its founder, Joan Gamper (1877 to 1930). This time, the ambitious club kicked off the official season against Serie A side Como 1907.
After the obligatory program items, such as a speech by captain Marc-André ter Stegen, who had been confirmed in his position after much drama surrounding his back surgery and the signing of important medical documents, and warm words from coach Hansi Flick, the FCB team put on a real show for the crowd at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Como had no chance in Barcelona
Right from the start, the Blaugrana took control of the game, pressing incredibly high up the pitch, provoking a string of mistakes and creating plenty of chances themselves.
Under these circumstances – with the visitors from Lake Como posing little threat up front, save for a few exceptions – it was only a matter of time before a goal came. In the 21st minute, the time was up: FCB continued to press extremely high and also benefited from a fatal mistake in the Italian build-up play. Fermin intercepted the ball centrally in front of the opponent’s penalty area and fired with his left foot at full speed – the low shot hit the bottom right corner for a well-deserved lead.
But that wasn’t all: after a dribble complete with dance moves and a shot on goal in a tight space by Lamine Yamal, Fermin scored a brace with a fine finish into the top left corner (35′), before Raphinha made it 3-0 after good work from summer signing Rashford (on loan from Manchester United) (37′). It was Lamine Yamal himself who made it 4-0 before the break (42′) after a strong ball win from his teammate Raphinha. In short: it was a class difference up to that point.
Lamine Yamal also scores twice
Unsurprisingly, the second half was not as exciting as the first 45 minutes. The reasons for this were, on the one hand, numerous substitutions on both sides and, on the other hand, the home side’s strong start to the second half.
After a great run by Baldé and some good work from substitute Ferran Torres, the ever-present Lamine Yamal also scored his second goal of the game with a fine curling shot into the bottom left corner (49′). That sealed the deal, and the Joan Gamper Trophy, awarded since 1966, went once again to FC Barcelona.
Among those who accepted the trophy was ter Stegen, who was confirmed in his position despite being absent from the field due to injury.