Barcelona kicked off their 2025/26 pre-season with an unusually competitive fixture against Vissel Kobe.

It was the first chance for for Hansi Flick to see how well his instructions during training had been taken on board by the players, and the first chance for supporters to see the likes of Joan Garcia, Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford in action.

​Let’s take a look at three things that we spotted during the match.

Barca look intense and direct already

One has to place this game into context.

Yes, it was Barca’s first minutes of pre-season, but Vissel Kobe were slap bang in the middle of their league season, and are currently top of the league whilst chasing a three-peat of titles.

However, only in the last few minutes of the first half when they scored the equaliser, had the hosts shown anything like the urgency required.

Until that point, Barca had been in consummate control of proceedings. Perhaps unusually, the intensity of their press was already plain to see, with Gavi standing out because of his whirling dervish impression.

Eric Garcia’s opener was scrappy, though the Catalans certainly deserved to lead by that point.

Perfect Pedri

​New season, same old Pedri.

The ease with which the Spanish midfielder is able to dictate the pace of a game is beautiful to watch, and with his passing on point throughout the opening 45 minutes, it was a privilege to see.

Whether it was a clever turn to help take Barca from defence into attack, a stunning cross field ball that found a team-mate every time or gliding effortlessly across the pitch – but with purpose – Pedri was always one step ahead.

An utter joy… and in the opening pre-season game too!

Good start for new boys Rashford, Roony and Joan Garcia

Although Joan Garcia didn’t have an awful lot to do in his 45 minutes on the pitch, a couple of great saves when needed from the keeper as well as his well-renowned distribution hinted at the excellence to come.

The fact that he also had the No.1 on his back will have undoubtedly had tongues wagging, but Barca have made their position clear on the particular issue.

Roony Bardghji, unsurprisingly, was always showing for the ball and popped passes around as if he’d been in the team for years.

Totally not overawed by his new club and responsibilities, his was a more than acceptable cameo, underscored by a superb low finish from Robert Lewandowski’s assist to put Barca 2-1 up.

Marcus Rashford had been the one to feed the Polish international earlier in the move with a brilliant threaded ball, and it wasn’t the 27-year-old’s only highlight.

The Manchester United loanee looked to be trying too hard initially, but once he’d settled down and found his rhythm, he was the out ball time and again as Barca looked to switch play.

Unlucky with some chances of his own, and other passes that didn’t quite find their target, his 30 minutes or so on the pitch was, nevertheless, a super snapshot of the speed, control and physicality he’s going to bring to the front line when given the chance.

All three can be happy with how their Barca careers have begun, with much, much more to come.