Debutants Star As Barcelona Ease To 3-1 Win Over Vissel Kobe In Pre-Season
Joan Garcia, the new goalkeeper from Catalonia, featured in the first half and impressed with several key saves. Although he conceded a goal to Miyashiro just before halftime, Garcia's sharp reflexes kept Barcelona level for most of the opening period. He was unlucky on the goal, having parried the initial shot only for the rebound to be slotted home.
Barça took 34 minutes to open their preseason account in a scrappy manner. Ferran Torres delivered a corner, and after Gavi's attempt was blocked, Eric García managed to get a toe on the ball, putting Barça ahead.
Fielding a near full-strength starting XI, Barça dominated the game from the start against the J-League leaders, with Raphinha coming close a few times. Vissel Kobe mainly relied on counter-attacks and unexpectedly equalised just before half-time. Debutant goalkeeper Joan García made a brilliant one-on-one save, but couldn't stop Kobe's follow-up, resulting in Miyashiro ensuring the teams went level at the break.
In the second half, Rashford, Bardghji, and La Masia product Jofre Torrents were introduced. Rashford and Jofre combined well on the left flank, displaying pace and creativity. It was Roony Bardghji who broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, curling a precise shot into the net after a well-constructed move involving Rashford and Lewandowski.
Just two minutes later, Rashford and Jofre were replaced by Gerard Martín and debutant Pedro Fernandez 'Dro'. The young forward quickly made an impact, sealing the win with a well-struck volley from the edge of the box in the final minutes.
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