The recent struggles of FC Barcelona against English opponents during their preseason campaign raise concerns about their prospects in the Champions League. Despite their 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Tuesday night, the signs are worrisome.
A fortnight ago in the United States, Barca suffered a comprehensive 5-3 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in Los Angeles. Xavi Hernandez, Barca's manager, expressed dissatisfaction with Mikel Arteta's approach, likening it to a match in Europe's premier competition.
To make matters worse, a significant portion of Xavi's squad was sidelined due to a virus outbreak in Santa Clara, forcing the cancellation of their initial tour game against Juventus. It's worth noting that these matches are only friendly encounters.
Even though Barca managed to secure a victory against Tottenham Hotspur, their lackluster performance in the first half at their temporary home, the Montjuic Stadium, might have dampened the hopes of their fans. The team's desire to claim the coveted Champions League trophy, last won in 2015, may have been prematurely exposed.
The match kicked off with an early goal from Robert Lewandowski, hinting at a potential goal fest for Barca. However, as observed in their previous matches against Arsenal and Manchester United in last season's Europa League, the team struggled to maintain their lead. Both home and away, they faltered during the playoff phase.
Despite noticeable improvements under Xavi's leadership, such as regaining the La Liga title after a four-year hiatus, Barca still grapples with the physicality, pace, and intensity of English and German teams – reminiscent of their encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021.
By halftime, Barca could have been trailing by more than just one goal if not for Marc-Andre ter Stegen's crucial save from Manor Solomon at close range. Oliver Skipp's swift brace further compounded their struggles. Although Spurs fielded a second-string lineup missing key players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, their dominance was evident.
The second half saw some improvement for Barca as Xavi introduced a series of tactical changes, a customary move in such fixtures. Ferran Torres managed to equalize with just nine minutes remaining, capitalizing on Tottenham's eased pressure. Lamine Yamal's exploits down the right wing were noteworthy, playing a vital role in Ansu Fati's winning goal and Ez Abde's contribution to the 4-2 scoreline.
Barca, who notably defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in Arlington, Texas, possess the caliber to excel in domestic competitions, exemplified by their German goalkeeper's record of 26 clean sheets in the previous La Liga season.
However, their European prospects remain uncertain. Their recent history indicates struggles beyond the UCL group stage and Europa League quarter-finals, even after receiving a second chance for silverware.
Ilkay Gundogan, a recent Champions League winner with Manchester City, could offer a solution, dictating the tempo when fully fit. His impact was evident during the game, injecting new life through a well-placed through ball upon his entrance in the 60th minute.
Yet, the core issue lies in Barca's vulnerability down the flanks and at the back, where their opponents exploit their weaknesses beyond Spain's borders.
Barca's fate will be unveiled during the Champions League draw on August 31, revealing the three teams standing between them and the round of 16. With Tuesday's match drawing a less-than-capacity crowd, hopefully, none of their adversaries will hail from the Premier League or Bundesliga, considering their significant showing.
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