New Delhi: Barcelona’s preparation for La Liga ended in disappointment after losing 0-3 to Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy, the club’s annual curtain raiser to the season. The game was Hansi Flick’s first home match with Barcelona since his appointment in May. Despite a good outing in the USA, with wins over arch-rivals Real Madrid, the Catalans were outdone by Rouges et Blanc at the Olympic stadium.
Monaco scored their first goal five minutes into the second half when Lamine Camara stole possession and found the net, putting Monaco ahead. Seven minutes later, Monaco doubled their efforts when Breel Embolo hurled it past Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Barca never recovered from this. Christian Mawissa struck the final goal of the match in the 86th minute.
Full time at home. #GamperBarça pic.twitter.com/RgFoxa6uOh
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 12, 2024
Despite looking good in the first half of the game, Barcelona could not break the deadlock. Though Raphinha came close when he found the bottom of the net, it was rightly ruled as offside. The win also meant that Monaco are now the first team to beat Barca in the Joan Gamper trophy since Sampdoria in 2012.
At the end of pre-season friendlies, the results have been mixed for Barca. They registered brilliant wins against Manchester City and Real Madrid, but they ended the US tour with a loss against AC Milan. Of course, one of the reasons is that Flick has yet to field his strongest side due to international duties and fitness issues. Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong are among those who have yet to recover fully from their injuries and have been on the sidelines.
Flick himself admitted that the team was far from being the best, though he was hopeful that they would turn around during the upcoming season. Talking to the media after the game, the German manager felt the team should have tried to get ahead on the scoreboard when they had chances in the first half, as that could have given them different results. Flick further believed it was better to lose in the pre-season and continued being optimistic about the club’s performance in the coming time.
🎙️ The words from our coach before the Joan Gamper Trophy: pic.twitter.com/oNrOdQmia1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 12, 2024
What is Joan Gamper Trophy?
The Joan Gamper Trophy is an exhibition association football held annually in August before Barcelona starts the new season of La Liga. Football clubs worldwide playing in the top division are invited to compete against hosts FC Barcelona. The trophy gets its name from the club’s founding member and former president, Joan Gamper. The competition was first held in 1966 and inaugurated by Enric Llaudet, one of the club’s former presidents. Until 1996, the competition saw three clubs play with Barcelona.
The format of the competition saw two semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and a final. Since 1997, the competition has become a two-team competition. The one-off game against the hosts Barcelona adjusts to the heavy football fixture. There is no extra time in the game, and a tied match is decided by penalty shoot-out. Until 2023, the game was played at Camp No, but due to construction work, it has been played at the Olympic stadium since.
The preseasons ended on a disappointing note for Barca as they lose Joan Gamper Trophy 3-0 to Monaco. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
