SAITAMA, JAPAN, Sporting Alert — Talented youngster Tammy Abraham bagged his first goal in pre-season as Chelsea beat Barcelona 2-1 in a friendly game at Saitama Stadium in Japan on Tuesday.
Ross Barkley added a late second goal for the Blues, while substitute Ivan Rakitic scored the goal for Barcelona.
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After a few missed opportunities early in the game, Chelsea finally took the lead in the 34th minute when he slotted in past Barca’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The forward collected a pass from Jorginho, who had robbed Sergio Busquets in possession, before he rounded Ter Stegen and finished off the play.
Barcelona had little attacking opportunities in the first, despite suiting up the likes of summer signing Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto, who were all subbed out after 45 minutes.
After the break, the La Liga champions started brightly with Malcom coming close, but fired wide of the near post within the opening two minutes.
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was rarely tested after the interval and the Spanish side was punished again when the English Premier League side added a late second through substitute Barkley.
The attacking midfielder received the ball from defender Marcos Alonso and then finished excellently inside Norberto Neto’s near post in the 81st minute.
Barcelona grabbed a late consolation from midfielder Rakitic, who fired in a powerful effort into the top corner past Kepa after receiving the ball 20 yards out and took a one touch to set himself up for the shot.
While, Barcelona were without the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Chelsea played without star midfielder N’Golo Kante, who went home to continue his recovery from a knee problem.
“I sent him home a few days ago,” Lampard said in his post-match press conference when asked bout Kante.
“Even though I said how good the trip has been for someone who is in their rehab, I think it has been more beneficial for him to be at Cobham with the facilities we have there,” he
“It’s not a big backwards step that has been taken. He’s improving and hopefully by the time we get back and start training towards the weekend he will be in a position to pretty much join in with us.”
