In a match in which things went from less to more, Barça equalised from a 0-2 deficit thanks to a Lewandowski double and left their tour of the United States undefeated. Milan came out more ‘plugged in’ and punished Flick’s men, who were disorganized and not very compact in the first half. Afterwards, the blaugranas improved with the changes and could have even taken the victory in 90 minutes. In the end, the anecdotal penalty shootout this time turned its back on a Barça that returns home with a clear positive balance. Based on feelings and results against top-level teams.
Barça
2
2*
Milan
Lineups
Little by little, Flick’s lineups are becoming less and less exotic. It was evident against Milan, although the absences of Balde and Hector Fort left a defence with little experience in the elite – only Lenglet. In midfield, Bernal gave way to Christensen and Gündogan was a starter for the first time this summer.
The afternoon quickly turned ugly. Lionwhich would be a pain in the ass, warned right from the start after a loss by Casadó. And, before the 10th minute, Jovic opened the scoring after a misalignment by the culé defence and a great pass from Pulisic. Without time to accept the blow, the azulgranas conceded the second goal Pulisic defines with quality in an internship in the area. Ter Stegen could have done something more.
Lewandowski made up for Barça’s initial failure
Regardless of the result, Flick’s team looked uncomfortable, messy at the back and suffering more than necessaryespecially on the right flank. Álex Valle appeared in attack with judgment but Leao punished him in close combat.
Barça’s response was put Lewandowski, who beat Torriani from the edge of the box with a precise shot with the inside of his footThe Pole, who is looking to redeem himself this season, scored a goal that should help him take off.
From the goal, The blue and garnets improved. But only in attack. Raphinha came close to equalising with a cross shot that was saved by the Milan goalkeeper and ‘Lewy’ saw his header from Valle’s cross also repelled by Torriani.
Bernal improved on Christensen and Gündogan
In the middle of an open match, partly due to poor pressing by Barça, The ‘rossoneri’ continued to generate danger. Chukwueze sat Lenglet down in the box and Leao did the same with Valle, but without finishing. Just before the break, Pau Victor He did not miss his goal, but this time it was disallowed for offside.
Flick made three changes at half-time: Kounde, Bernal y Quim Junyent They came in for Álex Valle, Christensen and Gündogan respectively. Raphinha moved to play as an attacking midfielder.
Right from the start, a powerful cross from Pau Victor was not connected by Lewandowski at goal. He was also unsuccessful Bernalwho was lamenting when he shot in a half-failure with everything in his favor.
Flick’s men finished much better than Milan
Just before the hour mark, the Pole equalised after an electric one-touch triangulation between Raphinha and Pau Víctor, the assist man. Double from the ‘9’ to silence the growing criticism.
The changes, above all Bernal’s entrancethey improved -and ordered- Barça and that became even clearer when Raphinha was close to the third. After a good cut, his shot was saved by Torriani. It was the last thing the former Leeds player would do before a carousel of changes that harmed the continuity of the game. In the absence of opportunities, the most notable thing was the ‘experiment’ of Flick placing Faye at left back. The daring Senegalese tried his luck with a trademark shot that almost surprised everyone.
Without anyone tipping the balance, The match was decided in a penalty shootoutjust like the opening game against Manchester City. This time, however, it ended up tails for the Catalans after Kounde, Quim Junyent and Faye missed their shots.
