Barcelona continued their preseason in Asia with their first game in South Korea for 15 years on Thursday, facing off in Seoul against the side from the capital.
An entertaining first half saw Barcelona going up 3-2 into half time thanks to Lamine Yamal brilliance, with the game ending in Barcelona’s favour as they added a further four goals against FC Seoul.
If you managed to miss the match, here are five thoughts on the match.
Hansi Flick definitely has a first team in mind
This pre-season encounter offered a tantalizing glimpse into what we can expect from Hansi Flick's preferred starting XI once competitive fixtures commence in August. The lineup featured several significant changes (much similar to the predicted line-up) from the Vissel Kobe match, with key figures like Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski all making their anticipated appearances. Barring the notable absence of Iñigo Martínez, who remained on the sidelines, this eleven strongly resembles the core group that most Culers will be confidently selecting in their minds for the La Liga opener against RCD Mallorca.
Lamine Yamal is an attacking genius
The star forward definitively silenced any "one-season wonder" claims with a spectacular two-goal performance, serving as the primary attacking threat throughout the first half. His opening goal was a breathtaking individual effort: a mazy, weaving run culminating in a powerful finish from outside the box that left goalkeeper Kang Hyun-Moo with no chance. The second strike was equally sublime, showcasing his exquisite touch and composure: receiving Dani Olmo's precise pass inside the area, he executed a brilliant dummy to glide past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball home.
When I highlight attacking, defending is not his feature of the game. He lost possession when trying to dribble out of trouble for FC Seoul’s second but it is easy to forget in a game like this.
Roony Bardghji is a bargain
Despite only featuring for around 30 minutes, Barcelona's new Swedish signing is already looking like an absolute bargain at just €2 million. He's seamlessly integrated into the Barcelona system and appears perfectly poised to provide crucial backup for Lamine Yamal throughout the upcoming season. Initially believed to be a signing for Barça Athletic, his impressive training performances have clearly caught Hansi Flick's eye, with his two brief but impactful cameos doing nothing but boost his chances of a regular first-team role.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Much like an earlier moment involving Yamal, a truly terrible piece of defending from the new arrival led directly to a golden opportunity for FC Seoul as he played a ball across the box. Thankfully, Wojciech Szczęsny was alert to the danger, sparing his blushes with a crucial save, and the young Swede was quick to raise his hand in apology, acknowledging his error.
High line exposed
While securing a victory, the match highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the second and third goals, where Barcelona's high defensive line was notably exposed by Seoul's attacking pace. Furthermore, the space between the central defensive pairing of Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo was repeatedly exploited by the Koreans' astute attacking movement, with Jesse Lingard's quality being a particular thorn in their side.
Should a partnership of Cubarsí and Martínez become the regular fixture at the heart of the defense, it is anticipated that a more cohesive and formidable connection with Kounde and Balde in the full-back positions will naturally develop, addressing these current weaknesses.
Beautiful Gavi goal
This particular goal was a pure footballing masterpiece, instantly conjuring images of classic Tiki-Taka and the beautiful fluidity of Joga Bonito. Barcelona's attacking lines moved the ball with breathtaking precision, a symphony of one-touch passing that seemed to effortlessly carve through the opposition. The intricate build-up culminated with the ball finding Gavi once more, who executed a swivel/turn before dispatching a smart, low finish into the net.
This stunning display hints that the upcoming season could very well witness the very best of Gavi, as he looks poised to step out of Pedri's shadow and truly assert his prodigious talent after a somewhat challenging previous year.