BARCELONA – An early goal by Antoine Griezmann gave Barcelona a 1-0 home win over Elche in his last pre-season friendly on Saturday, achieving 3 of 3 victories for new coach Ronald Koeman’s team.
Griezmann scored a Jordi Alba-ed in the minute following a pass from Lionel Messi, who played a deeper role than in Wednesday’s 3–1 win over Girona when he scored twice.
Luis Suarez, for his part, sat in the stands after being ruled again outside the call-up through Koeman, possibly in a position to remain after Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said earlier in the day that the Uruguayan probably would not sign for The Italian. Champions.
Barca took the top initiative, but it may not depend on their advantage over Elche, who promoted to La Liga after a five-year absence and remained in the game until the end.
Diego Bri has tied for visitors late, but was thwarted with an impressive stop by blue gear goalkeeper Neto.
Barca’s teenage feel, Ansu Fati, looked strong on his first start after returning from injury, while new recruit Miralem Pjanic made his debut from the bench in the middle of the moment.
Portuguese winger Francisco Trincao continued to impress in his third appearance and has doubled Barca’s advantage after combining with Philippe Coutinho, but was rejected thanks to a clever tackle from Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia.
Koeman covered up a team close to the entire squad, but strangely left local midfielder Riqui Puig out of the squad, and Catalan media claimed that the coach had told the young man that he was not on his plans for the next campaign.
The Gamper is a festive opportunity opposite some of the largest groups from around the world, with Arsenal and Boca Juniors visiting for more than two years.
But it was a much more moderate occasion, played in an empty Camp Nou because of the persistent restrictions of the coronaviruses and in front of a less glamorous ensemble in Elche.
Barca will begin their La Liga crusade next Sunday at home in front of Villarreal (Report via Richard Martin; edited through Ian Chadband).
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