BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona rounded off preseason with a 2-1 victory over Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday as Anthony Gordon missed a penalty on his Spotify Camp Nou debut.
Egypt striker Hamza Abdelkarim, still only 18, opened the scoring for Barça in the first half to take his goal tally in preseason to four, this time netting against his former club.
Raphinha added Barça’s second from the penalty spot just before the break, with Zizo pulling a goal back for the visitors in the second half before Gordon saw his spot kick saved by Mohamed El Shenawy.
Barça now turn their attention to their defence of LaLiga title, starting with Sunday’s trip to Elche.
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A bumper crowd was present at Camp Nou to see the presentation of the squad for the new campaign, including the summer’s new signings, before the game.
The biggest roar was reserved for Rodri, who joined the Spanish champions from Manchester City this week, even though he was not available to feature.
There was frustration for João Cancelo, though. The Portugal international is due to sign for Barça as a free agent after terminating his contract with Al Hilal, but the deal has not been officially completed, meaning he could not be presented on the pitch despite waiting in the tunnel kitted up.
Coach Hansi Flick and Raphinha then gave short speeches on the pitch, pledging to try and win every trophy this season, including the much-sought after Champions League for the first time since 2015.
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Flick has added Rodri, Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu to his squad, with Cancelo set to follow and the club not closing the door on more additions.
One area they would still like to strengthen is in the striker position but teenager Abdelkarim, the only recongised No. 9 currently in the squad, is giving Flick plenty to think about.
After netting a brace against Birmingham City and scoring last weekend against Basel, he was again on target here, opening the scoring after good work from Raphinha and Alejandro Balde.
Raphinha then won a penalty, nipping ahead of Hady Reyad and drawing the foul, which he duly converted.
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Al Ahly came alive afterwards, coming close to scoring before the break and then getting back in the game early in the second half when Zizo finished well after some slack Barça defending.
Substitute Orian Goren shot wide and Gordon had a goal ruled out for offside and another strike well saved as Barça pushed to restore their two-goal advantage.
It looked like it would arrive when Gordon won a late penalty, but the England international, usually so assured from the spot, saw his strike well saved by El Shenawy.
