Fiorentina beats Barcelona in International Cup

Fiorentina outclassed Barcelona 2-1 in the International Champions Cup on Sunday to give their fans something to cheer ahead of the new season.

Barca manager Luis Enrique and Fiorentina counterpart Paulo Sousa set the amicable atmosphere that prevailed in the friendly tournament and the Italian side was quick off the blocks.

They took the lead after only four minutes when Borja Valero collected a pass from Joaquin, nutmegged Sergio Busquets and sent a perfect cross for Federico Bernardeschi who scored with a well placed header past Barca’s Dutch goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Fiorentina doubled their advantage against the European champions when Spanish winger Joaquin found Bernardeschi who tapped in from close range in the 12th minute.

Barcelona were without their stars Lionel Messi and Neymar but Luis Suarez gave them some hope collecting a first-time volley from Croatian Rakitic and sliding the ball into the net in the 17st minute.

Winger Pedro, who is linked with a move to Manchester United, was lively and had two good chances in the 21st and 27th minute but it was twice denied by Fiorentina’s Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Both teams made a combined 11 substitutions in the second half and the intensity of the match dropped despite Pedro’s continued efforts to impress.

An intended cross by Barca’s 19 year-old Munir El Haddadi, who is a Spaniard from Moroccan descent, almost caught Fiorentina keeper off guard but Tatarusanu reacted quickly to clear the danger.

Sousa had something as he greeted Luis Enrique after the final whistle and the Portuguese manager will focus his attention to the start of the Italian Serie A with a a home game against Milan on August 23.

Treble winners Barcelona will start the defence of their Spanish title also on August 23 with a home game against Milan.