Pre-season starts with a draw (1-1)

Pre-season starts with a draw (1-1)

Barça drew their first pre-season game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the Wembley Cup. Pep Guardiola gave several players a chance to shine and Bojan Krkic scored for the Catalan outfit during the first half of an entertaining encounter.
Kicking off the 2009/10 campaign, the Blaugrana produced a positive display in a game that saw them use 22 players as the team that began was completely replaced at half-time. No less than 15 of those players came from the club's youth system, while Víctor Valdés, Rafa Márquez, Maxwell, Aliaksandr Hleb, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry watched from the sides as they were not in the squad. Despite the number of youngsters, Barça showed some great touches and enjoyed their fair share of possession against a Tottenham side that were playing in their fourth first-team friendly of the summer.

Barça style

While the first match of pre-season is usually a casual affair, Barça had little time to settle down as the Wembley Cup ensured that the team faced a stern test and they stood up well. Guardiola's side maintained their style and system as they played the ball around well in midfield against a side that ensured that their defence was well-manned. Early on there were few chances, but the best came in the 20th minute when Bojan saw his effort tipped wide by Carlo Cudicini in the Tottenham goal.

Bojan opens the scoring

The Catalan striker did not allow the keeper to have any chance soon after as the ball fell to him six yards from goal and he stroked home the opening goal. Touré Yaya set up the effort with a super driving run that saw him skip past several Tottenham players before a tackle from Tom Huddlestone took the ball into Bojan's path. It was the first goal of the pre-season for the Blaugrana and the second could have come soon after but Pedro was offside before beating Cudicini. Towards the end of the first half, Tottenham raised their game and enjoyed two chances as Luka Modric struck the crossbar and soon after Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw his drive tipped over by Albert Jorquera.

Livermore equalises

At the break Guardiola changed his entire team and part of the eleven that started the second period was Henrique, who made his debut alongside Marc Muniesa at the back for Barcelona. While the Blaugrana maintained their form, Tottenham's changes ensured that they too altered their game and they were able to raise their game in the closing minutes. That pressure led to an equaliser as Assou-Ekotto's centre from a short corner was met by Jake Livermore, who beat José Manuel Pinto to head home. Chances to win The equaliser meant that a winner had to be found and both teams looked confident of being able to find an opening to take all three points in the tournament. Jeffren Suárez impressed on the right wing, while Rochina headed over from close range.