3 answers and 3 questions from FC Barcelona's thrilling win over Manchester City

FC Barcelona started their Preseason campaign with a thrilling win against Premier League Champions Manchester City. Hansi Flick's side took the lead twice through Pau Victor and Pablo Torre, but goals from Nico O'Reilly and Jack Grealish leveled the game at 2-2. Second-half substitute goalkeeper Ander Astralaga turned out to be the hero in the Camping World Stadium after saving two penalties, with Barcelona winning 4-1 on penalties. 

On that note, here are three answers from the game and three new questions we have as Hansi Flick's side got the better of Manchester City...

Three answers

How many La Masia players will Hansi Flick start?

Given the number of FC Barcelona players currently on holiday after featuring in the Euro 2024 and Copa America, this was going to be a nice opportunity for several academy players. Thus, Hansi Flick opted to give Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Sergi Dominguez, and Gerard Martin their first team debuts after excelling in La Masia. With injuries to star players like Pedri, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, these youngsters can get more chances throughout the upcoming season.

How would the defense lineup with captain Lenglet? 

It was a big surprise when Hansi Flick named his starting lineup with Clement Lenglet captaining the side. After spending the last two seasons on loan at Tottenham Hotspurs and Aston Villa, Lenglet was expected to again leave on loan or on a permanent basis. 

However, starting alongside Sergi Dominguez in his preferred center-back role, Lenglet had a good performance overall and came off with under fifteen minutes to play. In the absence of Araujo due to injury and being made the captain, it looks like Flick has Lenglet in his plans for the 2024/25 season.

How will Vitor Roque perform amidst talks of his transfer? 

Ever since arriving midway through the last season, it has been tough for Vitor Roque to get playing time under Xavi. Now, with new manager Hansi Flick, it was a big chance for Roque to showcase his potential after being named in the starting lineup. 

But for the majority of the first half, Roque struggled to assert his authority on the game. Heavy touches, bad decision-making, and lack of involvement in the game led Flick to substitute him for the second half.

Three questions

How good is Pau Victor? 

Eyebrows were raised by a large section of Barcelona fans when the club sold Marc Guiu to Chelsea over a month ago. But the club has already secured highly talented Pau Victor in their ranks. 

Signed in 2023, Victor scored twenty goals for Rafa Marquez's side in an incredible debut season. This led the club to trust him over Guiu, and today, he repaid the faith shown in him. Pau Victor took the ball from an incredible pass from Marc Casado and put the ball into the back of the net for his first senior goal.

Can Ander Astralaga be the long-term Ter Stegen replacement? 

Ander Astralaga replaced Inaki Pena at the hour mark just after Grealish put City level at 2-2. With the game going to penalties, all eyes were on Astralaga, wondering if he could better Pep Guardiola's trusted keeper Ortega in making saves. 

And he did just that after saving the first two penalties. Astralaga turned into the hero, and Barcelona scored all their penalties, winning 4-1. This really puts forward the discussion: is Ander Astralaga the long-term Ter Stegen replacement? If Astralaga keeps on with his impressive displays, he can be the Number One at the club for years to come.

Can Barcelona win the third preseason Clasico in a row? 

Since 2022, a preseason Clasico in the United States has become an annual showpiece event. In the last two years, Barcelona has come out on top, winning 1-0 in 2022 and 3-0 in 2023.

This recent thrilling win over Manchester City has boosted the confidence of Hansi Flick's young side. Also, Real Madrid have lost their preseason opener 1-0 against AC Milan, which further makes Barcelona the heavy favorites to complete a hat-trick of preseason Clasico wins.