Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Barcelona Showcases New Talents in Friendly Win Over Vissel Kobe

La Liga champions Barcelona kicked off their preparations for the new season with a 3–1 victory over Japan’s Vissel Kobe in a friendly match that marked the start of the Catalan club’s Asian tour.

Barcelona opened the scoring through Eric García in the 33rd minute, but Taisei Miyashiro quickly equalized for Vissel Kobe in the 42nd minute, ending the first half in a 1–1 draw between the two sides.

In the second half, Swedish (of Syrian origin) forward Roony Bardghji added Barcelona’s second goal in the 77th minute, before Pedro Fernández Sarmiento sealed the win with the third goal in the 87th minute.

Barcelona is scheduled to play two more friendlies in South Korea — against Seoul on Thursday and against Daegu on August 4 — before wrapping up their preseason with a match against Italy’s Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy in Barcelona on the 10th of the same month.

Barcelona, who clinched a domestic treble last season (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup), will begin their league campaign away against Real Mallorca on August 16.

Match Highlights

German coach Hansi Flick fielded a nearly full-strength lineup, missing only Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, French defender Jules Koundé, Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo, and Dutchman Frenkie de Jong. The attacking trio featured Lamine Yamal, Brazilian Raphinha, and Ferran Torres.

As expected, new signing Juan García started in goal and notably wore the No. 1 shirt usually associated with German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen — a sign that the Barcelona captain may be nearing an exit, especially amid growing speculation about him losing the armband.

The starting lineup also included Fermín López, Gavi, and Pedri, and Barcelona delivered a strong first-half performance, dominating a resilient opponent.

Raphinha threatened the goal twice — once with a header from a Yamal cross, and again with a long-range shot that missed narrowly — before taking a close-range free kick.

The opening goal came from a corner taken by Fermín López, followed by a scramble inside the box, where Eric García pounced on the loose ball and slotted it in from close range.

Vissel Kobe responded when Taisei Miyashiro capitalized on a rebound off goalkeeper García and tucked it into the net. The first half ended with a slight edge for Barça, though they showed a noticeable drop-off toward the end, while the Japanese hosts grew into the game.

Barcelona began the second half with a completely new lineup, which featured the debut of English star Marcus Rashford and also Bardghji, while Flick gradually introduced more young players — including left-back Torrents and promising talent Pedro “Dru” Fernández.

Bardghji impressed with his performance, as did Torrents, who displayed immense energy. Rashford, meanwhile, immediately showed his class with elegant touches and intelligent movement.

Dani Olmo squandered a scoring chance after a fast break and a shot that went just wide, then created another opportunity for Rashford, whose weak finish lacked power.

The flair Yamal displayed in the first half was shared among several players in the second, with everyone contributing to the attacking display led by Rashford, who provided a lovely assist to Bardghji — although the latter’s first attempt sailed over the bar.

On the following attempt, the goal came from a slick combination between Rashford and Lewandowski, who delivered the decisive pass that Bardghji calmly slotted into the net.

Shortly after, the young Dru Fernández (17 years old) added the third with a well-placed shot, finishing the move with a direct strike.