Club Friendlies 1
Jul 20, 2022 1.00am
0
6
HT : 0 3
FT
  • goal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 19'
  • goal Raphinha 25'
  • goal Ansu Fati 41'
  • goal Gavi 55'
  • goal Memphis Depay 69'
  • goal Ousmane Dembele 70'

Raphinha stars on Barcelona debut as Inter Miami are hit for six

Raphinha stars on Barcelona debut as Inter Miami are hit for six

Raphinha scored once and provided two assists as Barcelona opened their pre-season tour of the United States with a 6-0 victory over MLS outfit Inter Miami on Tuesday night.

The Brazilian recently completed a move to the Catalan giants from Leeds United, with Xavi's side holding off competition from Chelsea and Arsenal to sign him.

Raphinha was handed a starting against Inter Miami, with the attacker playing off the right, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through the middle and Ansu Fati on the left.

The 25-year-old set up Aubameyang for Barcelona's opening goal of the match in the 19th minute before getting his name on the scoresheet six minutes later, finding the back of the net after meeting a pinpoint cross from Alejandro Balde.

Raphinha then turned provider for Ansu Fati in the 41st minute, with the Brazilian playing a pass through to the youngster, who fired the ball into the back of the net.

The attacker was then withdrawn at the interval, with head coach Xavi sending a fresh XI onto the field for the second 45 minutes.

Barcelona had their fourth of the match in the 55th minute through Gavi, who fired a corner from Memphis Depay into the back of the net after lacklustre defending from Inter Miami.

Memphis, who continues to be linked with a summer exit, then got his name on the scoresheet in the 68th minute, with the attacker turning inside the box before firing into the bottom corner.

Xavi's side were not finished, though, and scored a sixth through Ousmane Dembele, who recently rejoined the club after leaving on a free transfer at the end of June.

Barcelona will face Real Madrid in their next match on July 23 before taking on Juventus and New York Red Bulls in their final two games of the tour.

Raphinha has said that he is relishing the chance to play in El Clasico, and the Brazilian believes that his new side "are better than Real Madrid".

"You always want to score against your opponents and if it's in a Clasico, even more so," Raphinha told reporters after the clash with Phil Neville's side. "The most important thing is the win. For me, we are better than Real Madrid."

The Brazilian scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in 67 appearances for Leeds before making the move to Barcelona on July 13.

Barcelona also had fellow summer signings Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie in their starting side against Inter Miami, but there was no Robert Lewandowski, who could instead make his first appearance for the Catalan giants in El Clasico.

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POLL
Who will win Tuesday's Club Friendlies 1 clash between Inter Miami and Barcelona?
Inter Miami 14%
Draw 6%
Barcelona 80%
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