The first game of the post-Messi era had the Argentine star very present. First, in the rival. Curiously, the same to which was measured in his first
Gamper,
the
Juventus
out precisely which faced an orphan and forever set his great legend. A
Cristiano Ronaldo
, received with whistles and head in the set of
Massimiliano Allegri
, it would also strange not having his great nemesis ahead to the measured Barca. And in the 10th minute, of course, the
Johan Cruyff stands,
after doing the same for several moments during the presentation of the first men's and women's teams, chanted his name without hesitation.
Ronald Koeman,
in the run-up to him, couldn't help but remember him too. "Despite the farewell to Leo Messi, we are very excited about this new season, with the squad we have, the signings we have made and the young people, who are always the future of this great club. We are convinced that we will give you many alegrías, "said the Dutchman, who made the necessary pause after naming the Argentine so that the public could send him their affection.
Sergio Busquets
, in his debut as first captain, would be much more emotional.
"It is a pride to be the captain of the best club in the world. I have had great examples, such as
Puyol, Xavi, Andrés and Leo," he
began, leaving room for an emotional and exciting pause, in which Piqué almost came to tears . I'll be up to the task. Thanks Leo for taking Barça to the top, making history, being the best player in the world, with so many personal and collective records. We will miss you very much and wish you the best. Eternal thanks, Leo! He sentenced.
El
Kun
Aguero
injured and officially resting at home on medical grounds
, was not in the presentation. On the other hand, the also injured
Ter Stegen, De Jong, Dembélé and Ansu Fati were
. Something that, sure, will arouse more than one suspicion. As soon as the ball started rolling, Messi's absence became even more real. Perhaps it helped a little to pass the bad drink that Memphis soon inaugurated the luminous one, after a great pass from the young
Demir
. The barcelonistas had more the ball. They even saw how the referee canceled a goal by
Griezmann
for non-existent offside by
Braithwaite
, but they increased their income before halftime.
Neto, meanwhile, signed an outstanding performance. In principle, he will defend the goal until Ter Stegen, well into the start of the League, receives the discharge. The Brazilian frustrated
De Ligt
and twice both
Morata
and Cristiano Ronaldo, who put him to the test for the last time before the break with a long free kick. The Portuguese, precisely, would be one of the footballers that Allegri decided to leave on the bench at the restart.
Braithwaite, in the first moments of the second half, would perfectly finish a corner served by Memphis to put the 2-0 in the light. A
Umtiti
, alternate home, while almost every time he touched the ball touched to
hear whistles, just as happened to
him in the presentation. He took to the field together with a rookie,
Emerson Royal
. And
Neto
, demanded in the first half, lived a much calmer second, hardly disturbed only by a shot from Morata. In the end, Barça beat Juventus 3-0 with a final goal from Riqui Puig. With trade, enthusiasm and desire. But, without that magic of yesteryear, that unexpected touch, that dribble, that pipe that Messi, like someone who did not want the thing, gave away in each game. You will have to get used to it.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Leo Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Riqui Puig
Ousmane Dembélé
Ansu Fati
Ter Stegen
Ronald Koeman
First division
BarçaThe (difficult) accounts to retain Messi
FútbolMessi, a matter of life and death at Barça: "Survival passed through his departure"
FútbolMessi, the man who has all the titles
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