Tottenham and Barcelona faced off in their final pre-season friendly at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, with the hosts ultimately winning 4-2. Barcelona played without their famous Camp Nou stadium, while Spurs were missing their star striker Harry Kane. However, Tottenham didn’t feel his absence early on as midfielder Oliver Skipp scored two goals in the first half to equalize Robert Lewandowski’s opener just three minutes into the game. Nevertheless, Barcelona made a remarkable comeback with three goals in 12 minutes from Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Lamine Yamal. As we look back on the match before the start of LaLiga and the Premier League, here are 10 things we learned from Xavi vs. Postecoglou’s clash.
1. Oliver Skipp impressed against illustrious opponents such as Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong, shining with his two goals and solid performance in the first half. His second goal was particularly impressive as he left De Jong behind and scored with a powerful header.
2. Richarlison, standing in for the absent Harry Kane, had a frustrating first half and struggled to make an impact on Barcelona’s defense. Although he showed some improvement in the second half, he still seems unable to fill Kane’s shoes if necessary.
3. Lamine Yamal, just 16 years old, proved he is worth the hype as he played a crucial role in Barcelona’s late comeback. Represented by Jorge Mendes, Yamal set up Ferran Torres’ equalizer and Ansu Fati’s winning goal.
4. Barcelona’s need for a right-back was evident as both of Tottenham’s first-half goals came down their right side. Ronald Araujo, a center back, was played out of position, and Sergio Robert, his replacement, reminded everyone that he is primarily a midfielder. It’s no wonder Xavi is interested in signing Joao Cancelo.
5. Robert Lewandowski, at the age of 34, showed why Bayern Munich is still interested in him by scoring with his first touch of the game and assisting Raphinha for what should have been a second goal.
6. Tottenham’s full-backs Pedro Porro and Sergio Reguilon struggled defensively when tested by Barcelona. Both looked more comfortable going forward, indicating that playing them as wing-backs in a back four may not work well for Spurs this season.
7. Barcelona might face a home disadvantage this season as their new stadium, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, lacks the intimidating atmosphere of Camp Nou. The athletics arena, located high up on Montjuic hill, has spectators far from the action, and the plain grey seats create a neutral ambiance.
8. Xavi acknowledged the challenges of playing in the new stadium, urging the spectators to support the team even more. However, the stadium was only half full during his pre-match speech, raising questions about the fan attendance. Barcelona will hope to see the new ground filled once the season starts.
9. Davinson Sanchez had a standout performance against Barcelona, making several crucial challenges to keep them at bay. These displays could potentially attract suitors for the Colombian defender, who may leave before the transfer deadline.
10. Despite Sanchez’s strong performance, Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities were evident as they were torn apart by Barcelona towards the end of the game. This emphasizes the importance of signing new center-back Micky van de Ven and potentially adding another defender to strengthen the team’s backline.
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