Barcelona parade Rodri and new faces in Joan Gamper Trophy win
Barcelona rounded off their preseason with a 2-1 win over Egyptian side Al Ahly to claim the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, though the evening ended on a mixed note for new signing Anthony Gordon, who missed a penalty on his Camp Nou debut.
Almost 55,000 fans braved the August heat to fill the stadium for the presentation of Hansi Flick's squad ahead of the new season, with the biggest reception saved for Rodri, who completed his move from Manchester City this week but was not fit to feature.
Joao Cancelo, still finalising his free transfer after leaving Al Hilal, waited in the tunnel kitted out but could not be officially unveiled with paperwork yet to be completed.
With the captaincy having passed from Frenkie de Jong to Raphinha, it was the Brazilian who addressed the crowd before kick off, remembering injured teammates, calling for unity and welcoming the club's new arrivals.
Flick followed with a short speech of his own, pledging to challenge for every trophy this season, including a first Champions League triumph since 2015.
Barcelona took the lead in the 29th minute through 18 year old striker Hamza Abdelkarim, who slotted home from close range after a cut back from Alejandro Balde, taking his preseason tally to four goals, more than any other player at the club.
The teenager, on loan at Barcelona since February, has emerged as Flick's most reliable frontline option in the continued absence of a fully fit senior striker.
Raphinha doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half time, converting after winning a foul from Hady Reyad, before Al Ahly hit back early in the second half through Ahmed Sayed Zizo, who finished well following a defensive lapse from Jules Kounde.
Barcelona pushed for a third goal for much of the second half, with Orian Goren shooting wide and Gordon seeing one effort ruled out for offside and another saved, before the Englishman was handed a late chance to seal the win from the penalty spot after Ahmed Eid's foul on him in stoppage time.
His effort was well saved by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who had earlier replaced Mohamed Shobeir at the interval.
Flick used the occasion to experiment with his line up, deploying Jules Kounde at centre back and handing minutes to Eric Garcia at right back, while Xavi Espart impressed once again in a midfield alongside Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez. Substitute Karim Adeyemi also had chances to open his account at Camp Nou but was denied by El Shenawy.
The result brings Barcelona's preseason to a close as they turn their attention to defending their La Liga title, beginning with a trip to Elche on Sunday.
Flick's rebuilt squad now includes Rodri, Gordon, Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu, with Cancelo expected to follow shortly and the club still not ruling out further additions, particularly at centre forward, where Abdelkarim remains the only recognised option.