Barça off to winning start (2-4)

Jordi Clos

Barça have started the preseason with a win away to Norwegian side Valerenga. Víctor Sánchez, Maxwell, Benja and Keita scored the visitors’ goals. Adriano Correia made his debut in the second half.

Barça have got off to a great start, with a line-up containing mainly reserve team players, but that was still able to show the Scandinavians just what Barcelona’s football is all about. They played lively and effective football, and went ahead twice in the first half thanks to exquisite goals from Víctor Sánchez and Maxwell. Valerenga scored in between from the penalty spot.

The second half saw the game grow in intensity, with Adriano coming on at half time. Barça sentenced the game with goals from Benja and Keita. The home side, with fresher legs, kept fighting and managed to pull one back to make it 2-4.

Making tests

Pep Guardiola used all five of the first team players in his starting line-up: Pinto, Milito, Maxwell, Víctor Sánchez and Bojan, who was made captain and played wide on the left. The manager also used Jonathan dos Santos in midfield. The Mexican added fluidity to a dominant Barça side, and it was he who shot first, but saw his effort turned away by stopper Hirchfeld (min 11).

Víctor Sánchez scores first

The opening goals came soon after. In the 12th minute, on a damp surface, Víctor Sánchez had the honour of scoring the first goal of the preseason, following a one-two with Jonathan Soriano, and finishing off with a devastating strike. Valerenga, who are second in their league, replied with confidence. Singh soon pulled level with a penalty blown somewhat rigorously against Milito.

Maxwell puts FCB ahead again

As if nothing had happened, Barça kept pushing forward, trying with a series of long efforts that came close to finding the net. The Norwegians, meanwhile, allowed Barça to dictate the possession and hoped their strikers could deliver the goods. José Manuel Pinto was called upon on several occasions, before in the 35th minute, a powerful drive from Maxwell from the edge of the area went straight into the top left corner of the goal defended by Hirchfeld.

Change of team in the break

The Barça eleven was completely changed at half time. Guardiola even switched from 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1. The majority were reserve team players (8), while the captain’s armband was passed on to Keita, and Adriano came on for his debut on the left. There was a particular cheer for the entrance of Ibrahimovic. The second half started strong, in the 52nd minute Benja took advantage of a defensive error by the home side to make it 1-3.

Raining goals

Barça were feeling more and more comfortable, and Keita then scored the fourth with a delightful header in the six yard box, following a cross from Edu Oriol (min 64). Valerenga once again showed their capacity to react and bounced straight back through Zagic, who beat Miño with a terrific strike from twenty metres (min 65). They could have even come back to within one goal, but Fellah’s free kick hit the bar.

Great Adriano

The Valerenga changes and tiredness on a rainy evening meant the pace eased towards the end. Miño made up for the goal conceded previously by making two great saves. The Oslo based side made good of their stronger physiques and continued causing problems for a Barça side that had eased off in attack. The most active Barça striker was certainly Adriano. Hirchfeld was called on to stop him from scoring his first goal for his new club on several occasions. A good debut.