Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona played their final pre-season friendly at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday evening with the hosts winning 4-2.
Barcelona are now without their famous Camp Nou stadium, Spurs without Harry Kane.
The north London side didn’t miss their talisman early in the game though, with midfielder Oliver Skipp scoring twice in the first half to nullify Robert Lewandowski’s opener in the third minute.
But three goals in 12 minutes from Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Abde Ezzalzouli secured a memorable comeback for the home side as Ange Postecoglou’s side faded to a disappointing defeat.
Here, Mail Sport’s Pete Jenson takes you through 10 things we learned as Xavi took on Postecoglou ahead of this weekend’s big kick-off in both LaLiga and the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou’s (left) side conceded three goals in 12 minutes in a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona
Lamine Yamal (second from left) came off the bench to stage a memorable comeback late in the game
Oliver Skipp had scored twice in the first half to give the Premier League team the lead at half time
Skipp shines in illustrious company
He took on Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, but the 22-year-old was the man of the first half with two goals and a solid performance.
His second was especially impressive. He left De Jong behind with a powerful run and sent the header past one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Frustrating missed opportunity for Richarlison
When the Brazilian attacker was accidentally knocked over by the referee just before half-time, his first 45 minutes were summed up.
He wanted to shine in Kane’s absence and struggled to impress the Barcelona defence.
He was brighter after the restart with a clever spin and shot just over, but seems unable to fill the captain’s boots when needed.
Richarlison struggled to impress while at the front for the absent Harry Kane
Lamine Yamal could be every bit as good as the hype
Youngsters represented by Jorge Mendes accelerated to the first team – we’ve seen it all before, but Yamal looks truly special.
He destroyed Tottenham late to set up the equalizer for Ferran Torres and the winner for Ansu Fati.
And he just turned 16 last month.
The young striker – who made his debut in April aged 15 – destroyed Tottenham after coming off the bench
Barcelona need a right back
Both of Tottenham’s goals in the first half fell to their right.
Central defender Ronald Araujo was lost there and when he was injured in the first half, Sergio Robert replaced him, reminding everyone that he remains a midfielder.
No wonder Xavi wants Joao Cancelo.
Lewandowski will never change
It was his first touch and he buried Raphinha’s pass past Vicario to give Barcelona the early lead.
He then set up the Brazilian winger for what should have been the second goal. At 34, he recalls why Kane’s age doesn’t deter Bayern Munich.
Robert Lewandowski scored after just three minutes with his first touch
Spurs fullbacks will struggle in a back four
The well-known defensive vulnerabilities were present as Pedro Porro and Sergio Reguilon were put to the test by Barcelona.
Both looked much happier in the future. Two aspiring fullbacks in a back-four will not work for Tottenham Hotspur this season.
Home handicap for Barcelona this season
The imposing Camp Nou intimidated; the city’s old Olympic stadium ‘Lluís Companys’ will not.
It is an athletics arena and the spectators behind both goals are a long way from the action.
The plain gray seats give it a neutral look and high up on the city’s ‘Montjuic’ hill it’s an open arena – Barcelona supporters do well to generate a sound that stays in the ground and gets through to the players.
The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is an athletics arena and spectators behind both goals are a long way from the action
And Xavi knows it’s going to be tough
“With the stadium change, it’s not a typical season and we need you more than ever,” he said in his traditional pre-match speech to the spectators.
The stadium was half empty as he spoke. In any case, they hope to fill the new ground once the season starts.
That’s more than they managed against Spurs with just over 35,000 in the 49,000 seat arena.
Good showcase for Davinson Sanchez
Several last-ditch challenges to keep Barcelona at bay were the highlights, as the Colombian performed well against the Spanish champions.
Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez put in several last ditch challenges in an impressive display
One of those goal-saving challenges came to make amends for his own mistake, but it was a strong performance from a player who was likely to leave before the deadline.
That being said…
No wonder Postecoglou has signed a central defender and wants another.
The way Tottenham were ripped apart at the end was a reminder that Micky van de Ven is a welcome addition and if he’s not last and then in the center of defense all the better.
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