Barcelona's Asian tour has been a resounding success, wrapping up their trio of friendlies with a dominant 5-0 victory against K League 1 side Daegu FC. While it may not be a game that lives long in the memory of every fan, the fixture produced several key talking points that have fueled optimism for the season ahead.
Goals from Gavi (2), Robert Lewandowski, Toni Fernandez, and Marcus Rashford were more than enough to secure a convincing win. The result perfectly met expectations, as the Spanish champions asserted their dominance from start to finish, showcasing the depth and quality of their squad. The win not only concludes a successful pre-season tour but also provides Hansi Flick with a strong foundation to build on as the team returns to Europe.
Gavi is back to his best, while Dani Olmo is searching for his form
The young midfielder delivered a stellar performance, scoring a brace and controlling the midfield with authority. Both goals showcased his technical quality and clinical finishing, signalling that he has fully shaken off his injury and is ready for a breakout season . It followed another impressive cameo, around 30 minutes against FC Seoul, where he capped off a perfect team goal.
His resurgence stands in stark contrast to Dani Olmo, who has struggled to make an impact in both South Korean fixtures. While he has registered shots on target and played key passes, his decision-making has been noticeably off. On at least two occasions, he could have set up a teammate for a simple finish, but instead chose the selfish option, squandering clear chances to assist.
Youth and new signings are integrating well.
The match showcased the smooth integration of several players into the squad. Loan signing Marcus Rashford opened his account with his first goal for the club, while academy graduate Toni Fernandez also got on the scoresheet, a promising sign of the squad’s depth and potential. Rashford has shown steady progress across the three games, and as his fitness and form build, he looks set to be a reliable back-up, or even a strong rotation option, for Raphinha.
A defensive concern
While the team kept a clean sheet, Barcelona’s high line was exposed at times, with Daegu managing to carve out a few chances despite being the lowest scorers within their league. On the positive side, the match gave Hansi Flick the chance to experiment, including a look at Gerard Martín in a central defensive role, a sign of the squad’s growing tactical versatility.
The main worry came late on, with Pau Cubarsí picking up a knock. Although it’s reportedly minor, his fitness will be something to monitor. Although Hansi Flick appeared to give him the all-clear after the game, the injury could rule him out of the Como fixture as a precaution. That absence might prompt the German manager to rethink his starting lineup for the Mallorca opener.
The Culers saw 15 goals across the three fixtures with club now looking to replicate that form on home soil. A lot of positives from the week or so in Japan and South Korea.