FC Barcelona starting 11: Valdes – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi and Alexis.
Santos FC starting 11: Aranha – Rafael Galhardo, Edu Dracena, Durval, Leo – Leandrinho, Arouca, Cicero Montillo, – Thiago, Ribeiro and Neilton.
It was a comfortable win for FC Barcelona as they fended off Brazilian side Santos 8-0 on the 48th edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy. Barcelona won in spectacular style as they claimed their 36th title as they won by their biggest margin yet.
Barcelona where in total control from the whistle as It didn’t take long for them to take the lead, as it took approximately 8 minutes for Messi to net home Barca’s first of the evening.
Santos were struggling to keep up the Barcelona full backs Alba and Alves as (newly numbered number ‘22’) Dani Alves’ welcoming cross was deflected in by the Santos defender Leo, a own goal which saw Santos fall two goals behind after just 12 minutes of play.
Alexis has enjoyed a fantastic preseason with Barcelona and he continued to be on top form. He was the third individual to get himself on the score sheet, netting home Barca’s third as he rolled the ball past Aranha 21 minutes into the game.
Pedro was soon to get into the action and complete Barca’s goalscoring trio as he notched up Barca’s fourth of the night, eight minutes after Alexis’ strike.
The first half finished with Barcelona having a four goal advantage over Santos.
The second half got under way and there were some excellent substitutions to be made as expected.
Barcelona’s second half side to take centre stage was: Pinto- Montoya, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano – Cesc, Song, Sergi Roberto – Alexis, Messi and Neymar.
The former Arsenal man Fabregas was amongst Barca’s second half substitutes and he was sure to leave his mark as he bagged a brace in 15 minutes.
Fabregas scored the opening goal of the first half from a great threaded pass from Alexis, hammering the ball past Aranha.
Fabregas second came from an assist from Barcelona newcomer Neymar as his neatly threaded ball reached Fabregas who thrashed the ball into the left hand corner.
Fabregas was denied a hatrick as his free kick attempt hit the woodwork.
On the 75th minute mark Adriano marked off Barca’s 7th of the night with his stunning trademark goal, cutting into the right as his bold attempt curled into the top right corner.
18-year old Cameroonian striker Dongou who alongside Lionel Messi is Barca’s top goalscorers of the preseason so far with 3 goals was the man to complete the scoring, netting home Barca’s 8th goal of the evening, tapping in a cross from Cesc.
Messi began the second half alongside Neymar but was substituted off the 62th minute as Dongou made his appearence.
There was no goal from the 21-year old newcomer but there’s no doubt that he provides real promise. Neymar didn’t get to play alongside some usual first teamers Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Jordi Alba, Pique, Pedro, Valdes or Alves just yet. But there’s no doubt that with Alves and Alba on either side of the flanks along with Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets operating in the middle of the park, Neymar is sure to get into the goalscoring action.
Tata Martino’s first game in charge had proved to be a success as he was rightfully calm and collective on the sidelines. Whether or not he is currently satisfied with Barca’s defensive problems or looking to bring in new signings is another matter in itself.
Lionel Messi was named Man of the Match as the goalscoring talisman scored the first goal of the game and assisted Barca’s third.
Last meeting between the two sides:
The clubs latest meeting was in the FIFA World Club Cup Final on the 18th December 2011 in Yokohama, where Barcelona claimed the title in Japan. Messi, Xavi and Cesc amongst the scorers as Barca won 4-0 on the night.
ayatjey 