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Barcelona concluded the United States leg of their pre-season tour with a resounding 4-0 victory over Napoli to lift the inaugural LaLiga-Serie A trophy.
The match, which was held at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, also served as the final exhibition game before the Catalans resume the defense of their LaLiga title.
In what was a highly one-sided fixture, Barcelona dominated proceedings almost all through the match. They will now head into their season opener Athletic Bilbao high on confidence.
Despite not having the services of Lionel Messi who is struggling with an injury, the Barcelona players on display still held their own. Ernesto Valverde would be very pleased with the output of his players.
In this piece, we look at the players who impressed the most for Barcelona against Napoli. While almost every player on display played well, we shall limit the list to just five.
#1 Luis Suarez
In what was an almost perfect center-forward performance, Luis Suarez ended the night with a brace. He could have had even more goals if not for some astute defending by the Partenopei.
Suarez opened the scoring after 48 minutes, showing great instincts to place the ball in the back of the Napoli net after Alex Meret had saved for the Italians.
The game was practically settled 11 minutes later when Suarez put Barcelona 2-0 up with a stunning curler from just outside the box. That made it three goals from three pre-season fixtures for the former Liverpool man, and he also set up a number of chances for his teammates.
Suarez is entering his sixth year with Barcelona. And despite the record breaking arrival of Antoine Griezmann and increased criticism of his performances in recent years, Suarez's display against Napoli showed that he is still capable of leading the line.
It served everyone a reminder of just how lethal in front of goal he can be.
#2 Ousmane Dembele
Despite the fact that Barcelona’s new season is almost upon us, Ousmane Dembele is still unsure of his place in the starting XI.
The French international’s struggles over the last two seasons at Nou Camp are well documented. And following Griezmann’s arrival, Dembele’s previously precarious position has become even more so.
The departure of Malcom to Zenit might have given him some leeway in terms of remaining a Barcelona player. But Dembele still has a lot to do to cement a regular place next season.
Every minute he plays is an audition to break his way into Valverde’s thoughts. And the 22-year-old passed with distinction over the pre-season.
Continuing with his good form, the former Borussia Dortmund man provided the assist for Suarez to score his brace. He helped open the scoring, laying on a pass to the edge of the box for the Uruguayan to curl into the back of the net.
Dembele wrapped up proceedings in front of goal for Barcelona, running onto a perfectly weighted pass from Frenkie de Jong and giving himself space before dispatching a low shot past Meret to make it 4-0.
While it might still be far-fetched to suggest Dembele will regularly break into the starting lineup next season, he more than did enough to give his manager some selection headache.
#3 Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong became the latest in a long line of players to trade the red and white of Ajax for the maroon and blue of Barcelona when he completed a €75m transfer to the Catalan giants in January 2019.
The 22-year-old came highly recommended, and possesses all the requisite tools to succeed in a Barcelona shirt.
All through pre-season De Jong has been exquisite, slotting into midfield seamlessly as though he has been at Nou Camp all his life. That should not come as too much of a surprise though, as Ajax and Barcelona are distant cousins united by a common ancestor - Johan Cruyff.
Against Napoli, the Dutch international continued with his upwards trajectory. He played an exquisite role as Barcelona dominated proceedings in what was essentially a one-sided fixture.
Despite starting with non-regulars Carlos Alena and Sergi Roberto in midfield, De Jong's class still shone through. He calmly distributed plays and dictated the tempo of the game, which was reflected in the 59% possession and 654 passes with a 91% pass accuracy Barcelona enjoyed.
Midway through the second half, De Jong got the requisite assist his performance deserved. His vision came to the fore as he played in Dembele to grab Barcelona's fourth goal with an exquisite pass.
Despite a congestion in the middle of the park for Barcelona, De Jong would fancy his chances of being a regular next season. And he emphasized his importance to the team with another brilliant performance against Napoli.
#4 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann was Barcelona's marquee signing of the summer, completing a €120m transfer to the club from Atletico Madrid.
The French international is expected to ease some of the goal-scoring responsibility from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. But despite his undoubted class, it has largely not gone to plan for the 28-year-old.
Griezmann has largely had a mixed pre-season campaign, shining on occasion while performing a disappearing act in other matches.
However, his struggles are not for want of trying, as the former Real Sociedad man had given his all in each of Barcelona's prior five matches. His efforts finally reaped rewards against Napoli in Sweden.
Griezmann had a relatively quiet first half, and spurned a good chance at 15 minutes. But he was unlucky not to have put Barcelona ahead after 48 minutes when his shot was saved by Meret and rebounded into the net by Suarez.
Eight minutes later, he was not to be denied as he was on hand to place a low cutback by Jordi Alba to put Barcelona 2-0 up.
This was his first goal in a Barcelona shirt (albeit unofficially), and the relief on his face was evident for all to see.
Griezmann was substituted after 67 minutes, and with just five days till their opening league fixture against Bilbao, he would have been delighted to have opened his Barcelona account.
#5 Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba has been Barcelona's undisputed first choice left-back for the last seven seasons. And despite the arrival of youngster Junior Firpo, the 30-year-old would still maintain the status quo.
Alba started from the get-go against Napoli, and proved to be a handful all game long. He kept opposite number Elseid Hysaj on the backfoot all through with his bombarding runs forward.
Barcelona's best attacks came through their left flank, and it was no surprise to find out that Alba had a hand in this, as he played a role in starting most of their counter attacks, while also defending resolutely when needed at the back.
The La Masia graduate also registered an assist on the night, embarking on a bursting run forward before squaring for Antoine Griezmann to put Barcelona 3-0 up.
Alba was one of only four outfield players who completed the match. And on evidence of his display, Junior Firpo has a lot of work to do to displace him as starting left-back.
