Another goal from Neymar gave Barça victory in the second game of preseason. Ernesto Valverde's team beat Manchester United 1-0 as they continued their American tour on a good foot, and whilst preparing to close it with a full victory against Real Madrid.
It was the second match of the Valverde era and it was an opportunity to display a more headline eleven in respect to the line-up against Juventus. On this occasion, there was a much more rounded team (United had already played four commitments prior to Wednesday) and the Barça coach did not hesitate to alienate the trident, having at his disposal up to nine theoretical title players, including Nélson Semedo on the right wing. Carles Aleñá and Javier Mascherano, however, had their opportunity to the detriment of Iniesta and Gerard Piqué, respectively.
The trident decides
It was a match that has confirmed what had already been seen during the first friendly of the American-Barça preseason. Semedo has to improve in defense and to lose the offensive timidity, Umtiti and Cillessen both progress well, whilst Aleñá is also developing more and more. In the case of the MSN, nothing new: it inspires a great percentage of the team's performance in the final metres. And its skill is reflected in the difference on the scoreboard.
Even so, Messi, Neymar and Suárez found a De Gea who continues to also show that he is in spectacular form. The Spanish goalkeeper is used to being in danger and underfire under Mourinho, and today was no exception.
The three forwards of Barça tested the great protagonist of the American tour up to seven times, but only managed to overcome him once. Neymar Jr has forgotten how hard he was to play against last season and took advantage of a defensive error from Valencia to score the only goal in the first half. A moral blow to a United whose stars (Lukaku, Pogba, Lingard and Rashford) could only watch as their wings Blind and Valencia tried to bring the danger towards the goal of Cillessen.
Control and calmness
At the break, the ten changes introduced by Valverde allowed Munir and Vermaelen to return to wear the Barça shirt, with Sergi Roberto in the position of defensive midfielder and Denis Suárez inside. Iniesta and Piqué have also been part of an eleven that has sought to keep the lead against a Manchester team that, considering the official matches they will play in the next weeks, practically made no change during the break.
With the march of the trident, Barça has lost verticality in attack, but won command in midfield. The fatigue of the English team, however, also helped. Whilst in the first half they already had problems creating danger, Mourinho's team did not find space between lines and were not able to circulate with speed, and which is why the only chances came from outside the area. Cillessen avoided the scoreboard being level just before the end of the match.
The last commitment for Barça in the United States will be the Classic of Miami. The Barcelona supporters will try to prolong the good start of preseason against its biggest rival at dawn this Sunday, at 2am.