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Barcelona suffered a brutal reality check in the Joan Gamper friendly clash against AS Monaco.
Barcelona were soundly beaten by Ligue 1 side Monaco in their traditional curtain raiser of the season, the Trofeo Joan Gamper.
Hansi Flick's side have otherwise been impressive in pre-season, bearing eternal rivals Real Madrid and earning impressive draws against Manchester City and AC Milan.
They failed to carry the momentum into the Gamper, however, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Adolf Hutter’s side at Estadio Lluis Companys.
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Key match details
Hansi Flick has sequentially introduced the senior players as preseason trundled on, and in the Gamper, there was only space for three of the players who were not a significant feature in Xavi Hernandez's side last season: Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Pau Victor.
Barcelona had a slow start to the game, and the rest of the first half was in the same vein for the Blaugrana: tepid and at times, unimaginative.
Monaco on the other hand, had a game plan: set a block in front of their 18-yard area, press aggressively only when Barcelona attackers were in that region, and exploit the swathes of space behind the Blaugrana backline.
The first-half ended goalless, but the second-half showed promise in the opening minutes. Lamine Camara robbed a sluggish Bernal before finishing effortlessly past Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
Monaco’s second goal in the 56th minute was almost as easy as the first. Takumi Minamino danced through the central areas, facing minimal pressure from Barcelona players, before slotting in Breel Embolo. The Swiss forward finished with aplomb to double his side's lead.
Flick made a host of changes in a bid to snatch back the game, but they struggled to break down Hutter’s side. Monaco scored another late on when Christian Mawissa capitalised on shoddy defending from the Blaugrana.
Barcelona start their LALIGA journey next weekend against Valencia and will be hoping for an improved showing at the Mestalla.
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