Three takeaways from Barcelona 5-0 Como | Joan Gamper Trophy

Braces from Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal, coupled with a calm Raphinha finish, steered Barcelona to a 5-0 win over Como last night in the Joan Gamper trophy clash for the year.

While the game was initially expected to be held at Spotify Camp Nou, delays in permits and construction forced the board to relocate the game, but the quality of football suffered in no way.

The game against Como was well fought for the opening 30 minutes, barring an early strike from Fermin Lopez that gave Barcelona an early lead.

Between minutes 35 and 48, however, the Blaugrana put four more goals past the Serie A side and put the game to bed.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 5-0 Como.

Beware Dani Olmo

Fermin Lopez taking home the Man of the Match award last night was not merely another case of the youngster enjoying a good game, it was a statement of intent and a warning to his comparative Dani Olmo that he is coming for the starting spot.

Fermin Lopez scored a brace against Como. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The La Masia graduate, after all, was Olmo’s backup last season, and the hierarchy in Flick’s mind was clear as daylight.

That line, however, is growing more faint with every passing day, especially as Fermin continues to impress and Olmo struggles to get his act together.

Taking to the field against Como last night, Fermin was in sublime form and took charge in Barcelona’s attacking department despite starting in midfield.

His movement between the lines, ability to read the game, lethal instinct in front of the goal and composure helped him open the scoring for Barcelona and even double the lead in the first half.

He fit into the link-up chains perfectly, understood it to perfection and did not put a step wrong all night and was rightfully the only player who stayed on the field for the entire 90 minutes apart from Joan Garcia.

As the season approaches its start, Fermin is making a strong case to be the team’s de facto starter in the attacking midfield and deservingly so.

The onus is on Olmo, who must not only prove his form but also his fitness after another recent blow.

Positive signs from Ronald Araujo

Ronald Araujo put on a commendable display. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The big question ahead of kickoff last night was around who would join Pau Cubarsi in central defence, especially after the sudden departure of Inigo Martinez to Saudi Arabia.

Unsurprisingly, the manager saw it only fit to play the team captain, Ronald Araujo, in the department, and the Uruguayan had a lot to prove after his shaky recent form and adaptation struggles.

Over the 78 minutes he was on the field, the Uruguayan showed signs of promise with respect to his adaptation and understanding of the system, something that lacked in his few opportunities last season.

Araujo’s defensive abilities have never been in question, and he may well be the team’s best defender in terms of raw defensive actions and recoveries.

What he showed last night, however, makes a good enough case for him to settle as a member of the regular starting XI.

His passing range and distribution were decent, but more importantly, he understood and implemented a good understanding of the offside trap, which is fundamental to Flick’s plans.

Should Araujo continue such an adaptation with no drop in defensive ability, his pace and physicality will significantly elevate the team’s defensive prowess heading into the new season.

Ready for the season ahead

Barcelona look ready for the 2025/26 season. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

After scoring 15 goals in three pre-season games on tour in Asia, Barcelona continued their good run of form last night and kept up the same scoring rate as they deposited five goals past Como, and it is clear that the team is functioning well ahead of a fresh start.

For starters, the team is back with no fatigue, and every player seems to have a purpose and an idea of his place and duties in the squad.

Notably, they look even better and more coherent than they were last season, and the signs are encouraging.

Joan Garcia looks to have settled well in goal and already made some massive saves for the Catalans last night. The defence may have some more cohesion to work on, but the talent is all there.

Frenkie de Jong and Pedri have developed into two of the finest midfielders on the planet and both look to have good synchrony as the double pivot.

Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha all look to have their goalscoring boots on as well.

The signs heading into the league curtain raiser, thus, could not be more positive and Flick has every reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.