June 06, (THEWILL) – Barcelona triumphed 2-0 in their end-of-season friendly against J-League team, Vissel Kobe, just two days after their previous league match and after enduring a long-haul flight spanning over 10,000 kilometres.
The persistent rain in southern Japan aside, the Spanish giants emerged victorious with a line-up that showcased a mix of seasoned players and promising debutants, including Mexican full-back Julián Araujo, Catalan midfielder Prim Coma, and Basque forward Dani Rodriguez. Also, later in the game, 16-year-old Héctor Font and Marc Guiu joined the action. Unai Hernández and reserve goalkeeper Arnau Tenas also had their moments on the field.
The match witnessed an early onslaught from Barca, with both goals arriving in the opening stages. Franck Kessie capitalised on a well-threaded through ball from Pablo Torre, swiftly followed by Eric García’s commanding header from a corner. Although Vissel Kobe aimed to turn the tide, the Barcelona defense, led by stand-in goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, thwarted their attempts. Notably, Andrés Iniesta, in one of his final appearances for the club he rejoined from Barça in 2018, exhibited flashes of brilliance, much to the delight of the spectators.
When Iniesta was substituted with around ten minutes remaining, he received a thunderous ovation from fans, players, and coaches alike, culminating in a commemorative jersey presented to the football icon by his teammates. Among the fresh faces, Marc Guiu showcased promise with a couple of notable opportunities. However, the exceptional performance of Vissel Kobe’s goalkeeper, Daiya Maekawa, prevented Barcelona from extending their lead.
The friendly match served as an enjoyable conclusion to the season and provided a glimpse of potential future stars. Iniesta’s next move remains uncertain, but the Barca club and fans demonstrated that they wish him the very best in his latter stages of his illustrious career.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
