Barcelona‘s final preseason match in the United States ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw against AC Milan, with the Italian side ultimately winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout. Despite the loss in penalties, Barça showed promising signs under new manager Hansi Flick, rounding off their U.S. tour with optimism and momentum heading into the new season.
First Half: A Tale of Two Halves
Barcelona started the match strongly, dominating the early exchanges with their signature possession-based play. The first 10 minutes saw Barça create several dangerous opportunities through a mix of long possession sequences, quick counter-attacks, and precise long balls that tested Milan’s high defensive line.
However, the Catalans found themselves in an unexpected two-goal deficit within just five minutes. Christian Pulisic, the American star, was at the heart of Milan’s attacks, first assisting Luka Jovic for the opener before adding a second himself. Both goals were a result of defensive lapses from Barcelona, highlighting areas that Flick will need to tighten before the competitive season begins.
Despite the setback, Barcelona continued to play their game with resilience. Ilkay Gündogan was instrumental in midfield, pulling the strings and finding space between the lines, while Marc Casadó consistently provided an outlet, linking defense and attack effectively. The attacking trio of Raphinha, Pau Víctor, and Robert Lewandowski began to find their rhythm, causing problems for the Milan defense.
Barcelona’s persistence paid off when a poor clearance from Milan’s defense allowed Raphinha to set up Lewandowski at the edge of the box. The Polish striker finished with aplomb, curling the ball into the bottom corner to halve the deficit and bring Barça back into the contest.
The first half ended with Barcelona pushing for an equalizer, creating multiple chances that were either narrowly missed or blocked by last-ditch Milan defending. Despite trailing at halftime, Barça’s performance was filled with positives, leaving fans hopeful for a second-half comeback.
Second Half: Resilience and Revival
Hansi Flick made three changes at halftime, including the introduction of Jules Kounde for his preseason debut. The adjustments had an immediate impact, with Barça starting the second half with even more intensity and precision in their passing.
Raphinha, now operating centrally as a number 10, was pivotal in Barça’s equalizer. After receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Marc Bernal, the Brazilian playmaker fed the ball through to Pau Víctor, who then assisted Lewandowski for a simple tap-in to level the score.
As the match progressed, both teams made several substitutions, introducing fresh legs and changing the dynamics of the game. Barcelona’s high pressing continued to trouble Milan, but fatigue began to set in, leading to errors in the final third.
In the final stages, Flick introduced a trio of youngsters—Vitor Roque, Mika Faye, and Guille Fernández—in an effort to inject energy into the side. While the young guns held their own and continued to press Milan, they were unable to create the decisive chance to win the match in regulation time.
Penalty Shootout: Milan Clinch the Win
With the game ending 2-2 after 90 minutes, the match was decided by a penalty shootout. Both teams took 12 combined attempts, but it was Milan who came out on top, winning 4-3 after Mika Faye’s miss. Despite the penalty loss, the performance of Barça’s youngsters and the overall team play provided plenty of encouragement for fans and management alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz scored for Real Madrid, with Noni Maduk scoring the only goal for Chelsea.
Barcelona showed promising signs under new coach Hansi Flick, showing improved ball control, a dynamic press and giving young players a chance to shine.
Flick’s tactical changes, which included moving Rafinha into a central role and bringing on Jules Kounde, added precision and intensity to Barcelona’s game, helping them recover from a two-goal deficit.
Barcelona will return to Europe to continue pre-season preparations before the start of their domestic leagues.
Several young players have impressed on tour, showing their potential and earning consideration for greater first-team involvement in the upcoming season.
Conclusion: A Promising Preseason
The penalty loss to AC Milan may have technically ended Barcelona’s unbeaten streak in preseason, but the real takeaway from the U.S. tour was the team’s development under Hansi Flick. Across all three matches, Barça showcased an evolving style of play that combined their traditional possession game with more dynamic and aggressive pressing.
The tour also gave several young players a chance to impress, with many staking a claim for more involvement in the first team during the upcoming season. Moreover, the fluidity and adaptability of Flick’s system suggest that Barcelona are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
As Barça return to Europe, the focus will now shift to fine-tuning their tactics and integrating any remaining new signings. With the foundation laid during a successful U.S. tour, Barcelona fans can look forward to an exciting season under Flick’s leadership.
