FC Barcelona kicked off their pre-season campaign on a wet day in Japan, where they succumbed to a disappointing defeat to Chelsea in the Rakuten Cup.
Click through the gallery above to see some images from the pre-season match between Barcelona and Chelsea!
Pre-Season Friendly
Result: Chelsea 2-1 FC Barcelona
Date: Tuesday, 23 July 2019
Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002, Japan
Barcelona lined up against Chelsea without the services of star man Lionel Messi, who is still on holiday following Argentina's Copa America campaign, while new signing Antoine Griezmann made his first start for the club.
Barca could have taken the lead as early as the first minute, but Alex Collado could only loop his header over the bar after being left unmarked in the box. The Blues had chances of their own in the opening stanza and should have gone ahead after 20 minutes but Tammy Abraham contrived to miss with the goal gaping.
The 21-year old made up for his error just after the half-hour mark, though, when he slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Chelsea the lead. Both sides traded shots thereafter but Abraham's goal ultimately proved the difference as the teams heading into the break with the scoreline at 1-0.
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The Catalan giants rang the changes at half-time, and looked the livelier of the two clubs after the break, with substitute Carles Perez coming close to scoring on two occasions.
With the match nearing its end, Michy Batshuayi came close to doubling the Blues' lead but was denied by a smart save from Neto. The Brazilian goalkeeper was beaten soon after, though, when Ross Barkley's curling effort from outside the box crept into the bottom corner.
Ivan Rakitic pulled a goal back for Barca in stoppage time with a screamer from range, but it proved to be no more than a consolation as Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners.
Read: 8 Surprisingly Underpaid Barca Real Stars
Barcelona's next fixture is against Vissel Kobe on Saturday, 27 July, in a match that will see the club reunited with legendary former player Andres Iniesta.
