Barcelona beats A-League All Stars 3-2

Barcelona’s last game of the season came in a friendly game which ended in an entertaining 3-2 victory over Australian league All-Stars on Wednesday.

The game, which was played at the Accor Stadium, Sydney in Australia, was the club’s first game in Australia, and they scored first through French forward Ousmane Dembele in the first half.

Reno Piscopo and 32-year-old Ivorian defender Adama Traore scored twice within the first ten minutes of the second half to give the home side a lead from behind.

However, Barcelona forward Adama Traore made it 2-2 in the 71st minute before Ansu Fati, who was brought on two minutes later, won the game for Barcelona in the 77th minute.

The game is Barcelona’s last match of the 2021/2022 season which saw Xavi’s men finish the season behind Real Madrid in the La Liga and trophyless.

The players will now go for the end of the season break, although they are expected to resume on July 4 ahead of the 2022/2023 season.

Majority of the team will be the UEFA Nations League, with Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia called up to Spain’s national team recently.

Barcelona finished 13 points behind Real Madrid last season, and Xavi Hernandez is bent on rebuilding the Catalans so that they can compete for the La Liga and also the UEFA Champions League, which they knocked out in the group stages this season.

“Next season, we need to improve a lot. We have improved a lot since November. I think we are in a good way. We have to be positive. But next season, at least, we need to compete and win the Champions League; why not,” said Xavi.

He revealed that there were plans underway to build for the next season, explaining that it is not acceptable for the Catalans to go on another trophyless season.

The transfer window is expected to be quite busy and loaded for Barcelona with certain players’ futures in the balance with contract’s expiration and renewal and the potential arrival of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

Written by:  Daniel Ademiju Idowu