Tottenham and Barcelona performed their remaining pre-year welcoming on Tuesday night at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the hosts managing out 4-2 winners.
Barcelona are now with no their well-known Camp Nou stadium, Spurs were without Harry Kane.
Nonetheless the north London aspect did not skip their talisman early in the recreation, with midfielder Oliver Skipp scoring 2 times in the 1st 50 percent to terminate out Robert Lewandowski’s third-moment opener.
But 3 objectives in 12 minutes from Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Abde Ezzalzouli ensured a unforgettable comeback for the residence side as Ange Postecoglou’s side light to a disappointing defeat.
Here, Mail Sport’s Pete Jenson can take you via 10 issues we learned as Xavi faced Postecoglou ahead of this weekend’s massive kick-off in equally LaLiga and the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou’s (left) side conceded a few situations in 12 minutes in a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona
Lamine Yamal (second left) came off the bench to inspire a memorable comeback late in the activity
Oliver Skipp had scored twice in the first 50 % for the Premier League outfit to lead at the split
Skipp shines in illustrious firm
He was up from Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong but 22-calendar year-previous was gentleman of the initial 50 % with two ambitions and a reliable display screen.
His 2nd was in particular spectacular. He still left De Jong at the rear of with a effective run and steered the header earlier one of the most effective goalkeepers in the earth.
Aggravating skipped opportunity for Richarlison
When the Brazilian forward was unintentionally pushed above by the referee just in advance of 50 percent time it summed up his initially 45 minutes.
Hunting to glow in the absence of Kane he experienced struggled to make an effect on Barcelona’s defence.
He was brighter just after the restart with a intelligent flip and shot just in excess of but seems brief of staying in a position to fill the captain’s boots if wanted.
Richarlison struggled to make an effect standing in up front for the absent Harry Kane
Lamine Yamal could be as excellent as the hype
Jorge Mendes-represented kids speedy-tracked to the initially staff – we have noticed it all ahead of, but Yamal seems actually particular.
He ruined Tottenham late on to set up the equalizer for Ferran Torres and the winner for Ansu Fati.
And he only turned 16 previous thirty day period.
The youthful striker – handed his debut in April aged 15 – wrecked Tottenham immediately after coming off the bench
Barcelona will need a correct-again
Each of Tottenham’s first half ambitions came down their correct.
Centre again Ronald Araujo is wasted there and when he went off hurt in the initial half Sergio Robert replaced him reminded absolutely everyone he stays a midfielder.
No question Xavi wants Joao Cancelo.
Lewandowski will under no circumstances transform
It was his first touch and he buried Raphinha’s go previous Vicario to give Barcelona the early direct.
He then established up the Brazilian winger for what need to have been the next aim. Aged 34 he is a reminder of why Kane’s age is not deterring Bayern Munich.
Robert Lewandowski scored with his to start with touch of the sport just after just three minutes
Spurs total-backs will struggle in a back four
The common defensive frailties ended up present when Pedro Porro and Sergio Reguilon were being tested by Barcelona.
The two looked significantly happier going forward. Two wannabe wing-backs in a back four will not perform for Tottenham this time.
Property handicap for Barcelona this year
The imposing Camp Nou intimidated the city’s old Olympic ‘Lluís Companys’ Stadium will not.
It’s an athletics arena and spectators powering each ambitions are significantly from the action.
The plain gray seats lend it a neutral air and, perched significant up on the city’s ‘Montjuic’ hill it is an open arena – Barcelona supporters will do perfectly to make a sound that stays in the ground and gets through to the gamers.
The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is an athletics arena and spectators at the rear of both of those plans are far from the motion
And Xavi is aware it will be difficult
‘With the improve of stadium it is not a typical season and we want you far more than ever,’ he said in his standard pre-match speech to spectators.
The stadium was fifty percent empty as he spoke. They will hope at minimum to fill the new floor once the year starts.
That is much more than they managed to do against Spurs with just around 35,000 in the 49,000 seat arena.
Great store window for Davinson Sanchez
Several last-ditch difficulties to maintain Barcelona at bay have been the highlights as the Colombian performed effectively versus the Spanish champions.
Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez set in many previous-ditch issues in an extraordinary exhibit
A single of those aim saving worries arrived to make amends for his personal oversight but it was powerful general performance from a player most likely to depart in advance of the deadline.
That said…
No marvel Postecoglou has signed a centre back again and would like one additional.
The way Tottenham had been torn aside at the close was a reminder that Micky van de Ven is a welcomed addition and if he’s not the past then in the centre of defence then all the improved.