Hansi Flick’s tenure as Barcelona’s head coach began on a high note as the Spanish giants triumphed over Manchester City in a pre-season friendly at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Tuesday. The match, which ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw after regular time, saw Barcelona secure a 4-1 victory in the penalty shootout, showcasing Flick’s ability to steer the team through a challenging encounter.
The game was marked by a dramatic start, delayed by 80 minutes due to a storm that passed through the area. Despite the weather-related disruption, a sellout crowd of 63,237 fans remained enthusiastic, eager to witness the clash between Barcelona and the four-time reigning Premier League champions, managed by former Barcelona player and coach, Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Pau Victor. The young forward made an impressive debut, capitalizing on a swift through ball from Marc Casado and delivering a powerful right-footed shot into the net. Victor’s goal set a positive tone for Barcelona’s performance, but Manchester City responded robustly.
City equalized in the 39th minute when Nico O’Riley fired a precise left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, thanks to a well-timed pass from Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. This goal momentarily leveled the playing field and demonstrated City’s resilience.
Just before halftime, Barcelona regained the lead through Pablo Torre. The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder displayed his prowess by converting a centering pass from Gerard Martin. Torre skillfully maneuvered the ball to his right and unleashed a right-footed strike past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, giving Barcelona a 2-1 advantage heading into the break.
The second half saw City make their mark once more. In the 60th minute, Jack Grealish equalized with a superb left-footed shot following a fast break. Croatian international Mateo Kovacic, making his first start of City’s US tour, played a crucial role by disrupting Barcelona’s defense and setting up Grealish’s impressive finish from a steep angle.
As the match progressed into the penalty shootout, Barcelona demonstrated their composure and accuracy. Alejandro Balde scored the first penalty for Barcelona with a precise left-footed shot. Amar Ahmed kept City in the contest by converting his penalty, but it was Toni Fernandez, a recent 16-year-old signing, who emerged as the hero. Fernandez’s calm left-footed strike secured a 4-1 victory in the shootout, marking a successful debut for both him and Flick.
Barcelona’s win marks an encouraging start to their US tour, which will see them face Real Madrid and AC Milan in upcoming pre-season fixtures. The team’s performance against Manchester City reflects Flick’s early impact and sets a positive tone for the season ahead.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s pre-season campaign has seen mixed results, with losses to Celtic and AC Milan preceding their match against Barcelona. They will aim to conclude their US tour on a high note when they face Chelsea on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
Flick’s debut victory over Guardiola’s City not only highlights the promising potential of Barcelona under new management but also adds an exciting chapter to the ongoing pre-season tour. As both teams prepare for their respective challenges, the match served as a thrilling preview of the competitive football action to come in the new season.
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