Xavi’s new Barça strikes down Pumas and pays tribute to Dani Alves
MADRID, 7 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona gave an exhibition of goals to a Camp Nou given over to the illusion given off by Xavi Hernández’s new team, in a Joan Gamper that went over (6-0) the Mexican Pumas, with a tribute to Dani Alves and a connection special between Robert Lewandowski and Pedri in the initial festival.
After last year it was played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, still due to the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, and in 2020 it was held directly without an audience, although at the Camp Nou, the traditional Gamper experienced a presentation with a note from a Barça that It has wickers to recover lost ground.
The famous levers, money to sign, have given Xavi the reinforcements he asked for after the slump of the last courses. As the last course of a remarkable preseason, the reunion with the fans brought a Barça with a sharp fang, which after 20 minutes had made it 4-0 and almost without disheveled.
Pumas did not seem to be a rival for Barça, no matter how hard they were or they arrived wanting to make history, as they did in 2004 by beating Real Madrid the Santiago Bernabéu Trophy. That’s how it turned out. The Mexican team fell apart in defense against a motivated Barça, with great effectiveness and who liked Lewandowski and Pedri up front.
The Pole, perhaps the most exciting signing, and the Canarian, the team’s brain, seem to understand each other and between the two it was 1-0, from the former Bayern player after three minutes, and the second, a masterful pass from ‘9’ to the great definition of Pedri. Dembélé made it 3-0, assisted by a Rapinha who has also come on strong.
With Pumas touched and almost sunk, except for the self-confidence of Alves trying to pull his own, a heel strike from Lewandowski helped Pedri make it 4-0. Del Prete had the only visitor, a shot that tested Ter Stegen, while in the second half Iñaki Peña had another worthwhile intervention, but Barça also owned the match after the restart and with a drink.
The turn has come for Ansu Fati, who is missing a spark, De Jong or Kessie, another of the signings that in fact also pleases the Barça fans quite a bit. Aubameyang made it 5-0 on the first ball he touched but he forgave a lot and De Jong closed the account. Kounde also received his standing ovation when he met at the Camp Nou, while Christensen was unable to play due to some discomfort.
With a plaque delivered by Joan Laporta and a shirt with 431, the games he played for Barça, from Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves was honored before the match. The Brazilian, who was also kept at the end with another round of hugs, ended his second stage as a culé last season, after winning 23 titles in the first of eight seasons.
“We’ll work our asses off to win titles, but we need your support. We’re all united,” said Xavi, who was also making his debut at a Gamper as the culé coach, in the previous parliaments. Barça has reason to believe in being strong again and competing for titles, although the serious part begins on the 13th against Rayo.