Birmingham City 2-2 (3-2) FC Barcelona: Preseason opens with a draw
FC Barcelona have drawn 2-2 at Birmingham City in their first friendly of the preseason, with Hamza Abdelkarim netting a brace in his first ever senior outing, although it was the hosts that ultimately emerged victorious in a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
With the players that featured at the recent World Cup still on their summer break, there was an unfamiliar look to the XI that Hansi Flick sent out to defend the blaugrana cause at St Andrew’s, where the home fans included Jude Bellingham on a visit to his former club.
New faces
Karim Adeyemi, the German international recently signed from Borussia Dortmund, attacking midfielder Ebrima Tunkara, Shane Kluivert, son of former blaugrana Patrick and the recent signing from Al Ahly, Abdelkarim, all made their unofficial first team debuts in the first half.
And an already memorable moment for Abdelkarim soon became sweeter still as he scored not once but twice to turn the game around after Birmingham had taken the lead in the 31st minute when Priske headed home from a cross.
Egyptian double
Following a difficult opening half hour, Barça gradually grew into the game, with Christensen going close from distance, before earning a penalty after Abdelkarim was fouled in the area. The Egyptian converted confidently from the spot in the 42nd minute to make it 1-1.
On the hour mark, the same player capitalised on a goalkeeping error following a Roony Bardghji strike to score his second of the night and put the blaugrana 2-1 ahead.
Birmingham responded quickly, levelling the match in the 69th minute when former Girona midfielder Jhon Solís finished off a well-worked free-kick routine. The hosts continued to threaten from set pieces and almost went in front when Cochrane crashed a superb volley against the crossbar.
Further debuts
Hansi Flick had made a number of changes at the break. Wojciech Szczęsny, who had made a fabulous save just before half-time, stepped aside for Hungary’s Áron Yaakobishvili while there were further debuts for Alex Gonzalez, who had caused such a huge impression in the practice match against Europa last week, as well as young Malian Ibrahim Diarra. And it was precisely those two came closest to snatching the win for Barça with a chance each in the closing minutes.
Midfielder Brian Fariñas, left-back Jordi Pesquer, Israeli Orian Goren and striker Òscar Gistau added their names to the debut list for the final half-hour, while we also got to see Hector Fort, who spent last season on loan to Elche, back in the blaugrana jersey.
Shootout to end
Birmingham keeper Beadle made two great stops to deny Roony and González right at the death, and the game ended 2-2.
Protocol required a winner, so the outcome was decided on penalties. The two keeper were the stars of the shootout, which was eventually won 3-2 by the home side.
But the result was merely anecdotal this evening. What really mattered is that Hansi Flick got a fine chance to explore alternative options for the season ahead, and several youngsters gained important experience for whenever the coach once again calls upon their services.