HJK Helsinki v FC Barcelona: Six of the best! (0-6)

Helsinki (FCB).- Barça made light work of their fourth preseason friendly. Goals from Munir (2), Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Bartra and Sandro brought a fantastic end to a busy week with games in Nice, Geneva and now Helsinki. The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium couldn’t have been better, but after FCB scored three times in the first fifteen minutes, the game itself was a lop-sided affair.

It was a fine display against the Finnish league leaders, and it sets FC Barcelona in fine stead for the final friendly, the Gamper Trophy match with Club Leon, and the start of official competition on August 24.

Taking their chances

Against Napoli, Barça were accused of wasting too many chances in front of goal. But that was not the issue this Saturday afternoon, with the goals flowing right from the outset. After just five minutes, a delightful chip from Iniesta was met in the air by Munir El Haddadi, and play had barely restarted before Sergi Roberto had extended the lead to 2-0.

Munir also scored Barça’s third, this time on the end of a Rafinha assist. Barça were 3-up and HJK had barely crossed the halfway line.

The pressure didn’t ease off, and with the home defence in disarray, Rafinha worked his way brilliantly along the by-line. He found Munir, who was denied his hat-trick by the keeper, but Pedro pounced on the rebound, laid the ball off to Piqué, and the centre back calmly struck it home.

Two more after the break

Luis Enrique only took Piqué and Iniesta off at halftime, who he replaced with Ié and Rakitic. The Croat posted a tremendous performance in the second 45 minutes, and it was his free-kick that Bartra nodded home to make it five. Both sides then made wholesale changes to their elevens, which somewhat took the momentum out of the game. For the first time, HJK started encroaching on Barça’s area, although never really causing any real danger and giving Masip very few opportunities to show what he can do.

With minutes to go, Pedro sent the ball onto the crossbar, moments before Rakitic provided his second assist of the half, this time for Sandro, who slammed the ball home. The Barça B player found himself one-on-one with the keeper just a minute later, but this time his effort went wide.

All in all, it was an impeccable performance from the Catalans, and one that very much showed how well the pieces are starting to fit together for Luis Enrique.