The final friendly match in Barcelona’s pre-season preparations concluded with a 3-0 win over AS Roma as they won their annual Joan Gamper Trophy for the 38 time, including the last three in a row. The match won’t be remembered for the comfortable manner of the Catalans win but for Messi head-butting Roma’s Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
The goals came from Neymar (26 minutes), Lionel Messi (41 minutes) and Ivan Rakitic (66 minutes). This is good news for Luis Enrique that both Messi and Neymar, who reported late to the club, following Copa America duties are still on the same wavelength. It would look like all members of the MSN trio will be in fine form for the Catalans, who look forward to winning an unprecedented second sextuple. The early pre-season matches of FC Barcelona saw Suarez leading the scoring, but he will be glad to have the backing of Messi and Neymar.
The Brazilian slotted home the first goal of the match, no doubt a morale booster for him following a dismal Copa America campaign.
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The main incident of the match occurred in the 34 minute. Yanga-Mbiwa and Messi had been involved in several physical confrontations during the match. There was a blatant body check on the Argentine by the French defender.
via Imago
Messi confronting Roma’s Yanga Mbwia. Image courtesy of Goal.com
The moment heated up when Messi was confronted Yanga-Mbiwa and then proceeded to head-butt him, before holding him by the neck. The pair were separated by another Roma player and the referee who proceeded to book both of them with a yellow card each for the incident. Oh well, it’s better to head-butt here than in a competitive game and receive a lengthy ban.
Messi had the last laugh among the two, as he scored just seven minutes after the incident to put Barcelona in a commanding position at half time. The second half saw wholesale changes to both sides with Enrique making eight substitutions for Barcelona. They pressed their advantage and Ivan Rakitic sealed the deal with a fine finish in the second half to give the Catalans a 3-0 lead.
The Catalans continue to play with their trademark domination following a mixed pre-season campaign. With the MSN trio in fine form and well rested like the rest of the squad, FC Barcelona look set for the season as they have a lot of trophies to defend. No doubt they will be waiting till January 2016 when their new recruits will have a chance to join the team and play.
