AGENCIES, FLORENCE (ITALY): Fiorentina beat Barcelona 2-1 on Sunday in the 2015 International Champions Cup at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy.
Luis Suarez scored his third goal in four pre-season games for Barcelona but it was not enough for the European champions as they crashed to defeat against their Italian hosts.
The hosts’ Federico Bernardeschi proved to be the star of the evening at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, scoring twice in the opening 12 minutes to all-but wrap up victory in a quickfire start from the Italian outfit.
And Barca – still lacking the presence of Lionel Messi and Neymar who returned to training this week – were unable to respond aside from Suarez’s smart sliding finish in the 17th minute.
Barcelona took time to establish their familiar stylish passing game. A big reason for that was how direct Fiorentina were going forward.    
The Italian side raided the flanks with their pace, helping Bernardeschi score twice in the first 15 minutes.
Barca boss Luis Enrique rested several key stars, including South American attacking duo Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. But he did still include Suarez as the focal point up front, along with Pedro.
In midfield, there were places for crafty playmakers Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta. Defensively, Gerard Pique, left-back Jordi Alba and little-seen ex-Arsenal man Thomas Vermaelen were expected to marshal things at the back.
As for Fiorentina, new boss Paulo Sousa, making his home bow, handed a start to striker Khouma Babacar. He also included Spaniard Borja Valero at the heart of midfield.
But it was on the wings where the Serie A outfit proved most dangerous early on. La Viola consistently got behind Barca’s full-backs to deliver teasing balls from the wings.
That’s how Bernardeschi’s goals were created. He first headed home Valero’s enticing cross.
Next, it was Joaquin’s turn to cross from the right for wide forward Bernardeschi. He met the ball with a deft finish.
But once got their trademark slick passing game going, a goal soon followed. Suarez, who looked sharp throughout, netted after a fine combination move with Iniesta dictating the play before Rakitic lobbed a smart pass into the gifted striker’s path.
Barcelona dominated the rest of the half. Pedro, Suarez and Alba all wasted excellent chances as Sousa’s men struggled to get a touch of the ball.
Instead, Enrique focused on the positives of Barca’s classy approach.
But Enrique also indicated that won’t be enough. Balance between solid defending and fluid attacking will be key as the club bids to defend the treble it captured last term.
“We need to improve in defence. Opponents can’t have that much space. We worked on it, but we’ll have to work harder,” Luis Enrique said.
Finally, Enrique swatted away a question regarding Pedro’s transfer status: “Pedro exit rumours? There’s no news.”