Barcelona continued their impressive pre-season form, maintaining their unbeaten streak, with a 2-1 victory with two goals by Pau Víctor, over arch-rivals Real Madrid in a highly competitive El Clásico in New Jersey. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona showcased a blend of youthful energy and experienced prowess, delighting fans with a memorable performance.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Preseason: 2-1 Victory for the Blaugranas in the US, thanks to Pau Víctor
First Half: Early Dominance and Weather Interruptions
The match kicked off with Barcelona displaying high intensity and hunger, reminiscent of their previous friendly against Manchester City. Within the first five minutes, a powerful header from Pau Víctor demanded a brilliant save from Thibaut Courtois, setting the tone for Barça’s aggressive start.
However, a 70-minute weather delay disrupted the momentum, making the pitch heavy and affecting Barcelona’s rhythm. Real Madrid seized the opportunity, dominating possession and winning the midfield battle for the next 20 minutes. Despite Arda Güler finding the back of the net, the goal was ruled out for offside, keeping the score level.
As the game resumed, Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and Pablo Torre began to influence the play more, helping Barcelona regain control. Full-backs Alejandro Balde and Álex Valle became significant attacking threats, culminating in a perfect cross from Valle that found Robert Lewandowski. Although Lewandowski’s attempt was a miskick, the ball fell kindly to Pau Víctor, who headed it home to give Barcelona the lead just before halftime.
Second Half: Pau Víctor Steals the Show
With the weather delay shortening the halftime break to just over a minute, both teams quickly resumed play. Hansi Flick made three changes, aiming to maintain the momentum from the first half. Barcelona continued to press effectively, with Pau Víctor forcing another remarkable save from Courtois early in the second half.
Barcelona’s dominance paid off when Lewandowski delivered an excellent pass to Valle, who played a stunning cross with the outside of his left foot, setting up Pau Víctor for his second goal of the night. The youngster’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a warm embrace from his coach as he was substituted after the hour mark.
Real Madrid, determined to stage a comeback, brought on Vinicius Junior, who nearly found the net but was thwarted by a great save from Marc-André ter Stegen. Both teams made several substitutions, causing a temporary lull in the game. However, Madrid intensified their efforts, creating multiple chances that were heroically cleared by the Barça defense.
In the final minutes, Nico Paz scored from a Güler corner, adding late drama to the match. Despite Madrid’s relentless push, Barcelona held firm, securing a well-deserved victory.
Conclusion: A Promising Preseason for Barcelona
Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in New Jersey highlighted several positive aspects of Hansi Flick’s squad. The team’s pressing and defensive organization were commendable, and the young talents, particularly Pau Víctor, provided a glimpse of a bright future. This preseason tour has been a fantastic platform for Barça to build momentum and confidence ahead of the competitive season.
Stay tuned for more updates as Barcelona continues its preseason journey, showcasing talent, strategy, and the indomitable spirit of El Clásico.
