Barça wins, Barça puts on a show and Barça continues lifting titles. A potent display from Futbol Club Barcelona in its annual pre-season championship at the Camp Nou, the Joan Gamper Trophy, played this year against Argentina's Boca Juniors and won with a clear demonstration of the Catalans' strength. Leo Messi was commander of the victory, while Malcom and Rafinha took advantages of the opportunities they were given to stamp their team's superiority.
Messi gives an exhibition as first captain
Barça, with new signings Malcom and Arturo Vidal part of an innovative starting eleven in Camp Nou, was able to squeeze out a top performance from a friendly match against a rival who had come to compete. Boca Juniors felt comfortable in the Barcelona stadium until the blaugrana machine got into gear and Messi made his presence felt.
The Argentinian commanded Barça in his debut wearing the first captain arm-band for his home crowd. Positive sensations were provided by a Barça that has taken strength from its previous match, the victory over Sevilla in the Spanish Supercup. Ernesto Valverde's players had little problem in finding their rhythm and early on started to dominate a match that they had under control from the first minute to the last.
If it was Messi who led on the field of play during the first half, and scored the second goal as his prize, it was Malcom who showed up as the major reference in attack. The new Brazilian winger, treading the Camp Nou turf for the first time, made no mistake with the second clear occasion he had had in the area, after 18 minutes. A change of direction in the penalty area and a great goal with a crossed shot into the net.
But the icing on the cake of the first half party, with consecrated players like Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti and Rakitic on the field, was finally provided by the number 10. Messi gave a spectacular lob over the Boca goalie, making it look easy, to close the first-act scoreboard in minute 38.
Avalanche of shots
And then Barça, with much of the work done, made comprehensive changes. First, eight subs were produced when the team came out after the break, and twenty minutes later, three more, to complete the total renovation of the team. So it was time for Luis Suárez, Busquets, Dembélé, Rafinha and Cillessen, and the debut in Camp Nou of Lenglet and Arthur.
But in spite of so many player switches, the song remained the same. Boca Juniors continued to challenge, competing from a position of inferiority, although with Carlos Tevez on the field they were more threatening. This was the cue for some great saves by an inspired Cillessen, Barça's number two keeper, and also for a demonstration of the capacity for controlling play and the Barça ADN which youngster Riqui Puig possesses.
To bring a good game to an end, Rafinha completed the victory with a great goal after combining in a triangulation with Suárez. A lob over the goalkeeper, and final resolution just centimetres from the goal line. Barça allowed no margin for error and showed a superiority which means they should start the official season in great form.
So, excellent victory for Barça in its own tournament, the Joan Gamper Trophy, to allowing the team to shine and demonstrate that it didn't want to lose a title, even a friendly one. Valverde's team continues to grease the machine, ready for this Saturday's Liga debut against Alavès.