Three talking points as Barcelona beat Como 5-0 in Joan Gamper Trophy | OneFootball

FC Barcelona welcomed Serie A side Como to the Estadi Johan Cruyff to play their annual curtain-raiser for the new season – the Joan Gamper trophy. As is the tradition, the first-team squad was presented in front of the crowd.

Having played Japanese and South Korean teams so far in pre-season, Como was Barcelona’s first European test ahead of the La Liga season. It is safe to say that Hansi Flick’s men passed with flying colours.

Flick went with a strong starting line-up and his team secured a 4-0 lead in the first half. The team added one more to the tally in the second half, and the game eventually ended 5-0 in the Catalan club’s favor, marking a winning start to the campaign.

There were a lot of positives to take forward from Barcelona’s win over Cesc Fabregas’ Como and the Gamper Trophy in general, and here are three talking points from Sempre Barca as Hansi Flick’s men cantered to a 5-0 win on the night.

1. The tale of two number ones and Ter Stegen’s reception

Last week has seen so much drama transpire between Barcelona and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. The club opened disciplinary proceedings against their club captain and took the armband away from him, only for it to be reinstated a couple of days later.

Ahead of the Gamper Trophy, Ter Stegen assumed duty as the first captain and gave the speech to the crowd. Coincidentally, both the German international and Joan Garcia were presented with the number one jersey ahead of the new season.

One curious situation was how the crowd at Estadi Johan Cruyff would respond to Ter Stegen. It is fair to say that he was given a warm round of applause when he walked out, and there didn’t seem to be any boos coming his way.

That is a massive statement from the crowd, especially ahead of an important season. The last thing Barcelona need is a fractured dressing room, and it’s good to see everyone, including the fans, pulling ahead together in the right direction.

2. Fermin Lopez makes his case

With Dani Olmo not training the day before the Gamper due to a muscle overload, he did not feature as a precaution. This opened the door for Fermin Lopez to start against Como, and it is safe to say that he took the chance with both hands.

Fermin was subject to some exit rumours a week or two ago, but if there were any doubts, they’ve been cleared with his performance against the Serie A side. The Spaniard was almost unstoppable in the first half.

The 22-year-old scored two brilliant goals against Como. Both were excellently placed finishes, one with the left foot and one with the right, and it is safe to say that he has done more than enough to convince Flick to start him against Mallorca.

It remains to be seen just how much of a prominent role Fermin gets under Hansi Flick this season. The German coach has counted on the Spaniard, especially in the absence of Olmo, but it could be time for the pecking order to change.

3. Araujo – Cubarsi partnership off to a great start

Once Inigo Martinez was announced as a new Al Nassr player, terminating his contract at Barcelona to join the SPL side, the spotlight became even brighter on Ronald Araujo, who is now expected to become Pau Cubarsi’s first-choice defensive partner.

The Uruguayan has not had the best last 12 months at Barcelona. There has been a lot of criticism coming his way, but Araujo has had a good pre-season under Hansi Flick. The South American wore the armband against Como last night.

Araujo showed a lot of promise, both with and without the ball. He played the high line to perfection against the Serie A side, marshalling the defense. Even with the ball, he produced accurate line-breaking passes and showed a lot of maturity.

Pau Cubarsi also seemed back to his very best in the left center-back role. The teenager did not put a foot wrong for the entire time he was on the pitch. It was a massive statement from the duo who could now start against Mallorca next weekend.