Barca fine-tunes the machinery with a rout against Basel (2-5)

FC Barcelona

The Barça of Hansi Flick took control of the match practically from the start, with plenty of possession and attacking mobility. Raphinha played as a false nine, supported by Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, while Eric García returned to the right-back position.

The superiority eventually paid off in the 34th minute. Raphinha found Adeyemi inside the box and the German did not miss to score his first goal as a Blaugrana. However, Basel made the most of one of their few attacks before the break and Doucoure made it 1-1.

Flick made changes in the second half and one of the new arrivals needed very little to swing the game further. Hamza Abdelkarim made it 1-2 in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Adeyemi and once again showing how easily he can find the net during this pre-season.

In the closing stages, some of the internationals came to the fore. Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to make it 1-3 and, although Olaigbe reduced the gap from the spot as well, the Barça finished unleashed.

The big star of the final minutes was Jesse Bisiwu. The young forward produced a spectacular double between the 89th and 91st minutes: first with a great strike after a pass from Dani Olmo, and then by capitalizing on an assist from Lamine. A perfect game closer for a Barça that continues to fine-tune its preparations.

Technical details

FC Basel (2): Widmer D'Autilia; Vouilloz, Omeragic, Rüegg, Senaya; Harder, Metinho, Doucoure; Ajeti, Malouda and Otele.

FC Barcelona (5): Joan García; Eric García, Christensen, Gerard Martín, Balde; Marc Bernal, Xavi Espart, Fermín López; Adeyemi, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon.

Goals: 0-1, Adeyemi (34'); 1-1, Doucoure (43'); 1-2, Hamza Abdelkarim (49'); 1-3, Lamine Yamal (81', pen.); 2-3, Olaigbe (84', pen.); 2-4, Bisiwu (89'); 2-5, Bisiwu (90+1').

Referee: Anojen Kanagasingam.

Stadium: St. Jakob-Park, Basel.

Standout players

? Jesse Bisiwu: he barely needed a few minutes to become one of the names of the match. Two goals in the closing stretch, including a brilliant first strike, to keep knocking on Flick's door.

? Karim Adeyemi: very incisive throughout the game. He scored the opener and assisted Hamza for the second, putting in a very complete performance.

? Hamza Abdelkarim: he once again proved that he has goals in him. He came on at half-time and just four minutes later he had already scored. He keeps making the most of every chance Flick gives him.

? Lamine Yamal: returned to the pitch and was decisive again. A penalty goal and an assist for Bisiwu in just half an hour on the field.