FC Barcelona started life without soccer icon Lionel Messi on a winning note, beating Juventus, 3-0, on Sunday night to capture the Gamper Trophy. Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite, and Riqui Puig starred for the Catalan giants, who are still reeling with the sudden departure of their talismanic captain.
The Gamper match is usually a joyous occasion for Barcelona fans, with the club using this contest to unveil its squad for the upcoming season. This year's edition proved to be bittersweet as the pre-season encounter came just hours before an emotional Messi bade farewell to Barcelona in a news conference, saying goodbye to the club where he spent 21 years.
Messi remembered in pre-season match
What was supposed to be the latest chapter between football greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi turned into a nostalgic affair with fans reminiscing the times they had with the Argentine captain. Around 2,600 fans attended the match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, with shouts of Messi, Messi ringing around the stadium before the start of the game.
Their voices got even louder when the 10th minute of the contest arrived, screaming Messi's name as a tribute to Barcelona's most famous No. 10 and the club's all-time leading scorer. They also called his name whenever Ronaldo touched the ball in the match. It's incredible to think that the upcoming La Liga campaign will no longer have Messi and Ronaldo after years of battles waged in the Gran Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Barcelona was missing several key players due to injuries, including Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who remained committed to the club despite his close friend's imminent transfer to PSG. Aguero injured his right calf during training and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Eric Garcia and Pedri, both expected to play key roles in the squad next season with Messi now gone, were on Olympic duty for Spain. Manager Ronald Koeman decided to utilize a 4-3-3 formation against Juventus with Memphis, Braithwaite, and Antoine Griezmann leading the attack.
Related Article: Emotional Lionel Messi Announces Exit From Barcelona as PSG Transfer Moves Ever Closer
No Messi, no problem for Barcelona against Juventus
That paid dividends immediately, with Barca taking a 1-0 lead in the third minute. Barcelona launched a quick counter-attack with Yusuf Demir teeing up Memphis, who blasted a left-footed strike past Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
Neto helped preserve Barca's advantage, making two vital saves on either side of the half. He produced a wonderful save on Alvaro Morata's powerful left-footed effort and had to stretch fully to deny Ronaldo's 30-yard free kick before the half-time break. Neto then thwarted Juve substitute Federico Chiesa after the break to keep the score at 1-0.
That proved costly for Juve as Barca doubled their lead in the 57th minute with Braithwaite, the goal-scorer. Barcelona ended the game in style with Puig firing a left-footed shot into the top corner for the final score of 3-0.
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