Barca consign PSG to shootout defeat

Posted Monday, August 06, 2012 by ESPN

Barcelona have won the Paris Trophy after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout.

Going into the match on the back of a 2-1 win over Hamburg and an 8-0 thrashing of Tangier, Barcelona were expecting a much sterner challenge from Paris Saint-Germain, and Carlo Ancelotti's squad did not disappoint.

Spaniard Carles Puyol made his return to the Catalan side's line-up after three months of rehabilitation from the knee operation that kept him out of Euro 2012. Meanwhile compatriots Victor Valdes and Sergio Busquets also made their first starts in this pre-season fixture since their return from the European tournament. The starting 11 of Barcelona's opposition was just as star-studded, featuring familiar faces Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell, as well as PSG's acquisition from Napoli, Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Despite the experience on the field, it was Barcelona B player Rafinha that gave Tito Vilanova's squad the lead, when he connected with Alexis Sanchez's cross from the right, scoring his first senior-team goal. With the slender advantage, the Catalan club began to establish a hold on possession with their trademark tiki-taka passing style. PSG did little to threaten Valdes' goal, while Barcelona's Lionel Messi terrorized the French side's defence at will during the first half.

Players from Spain's Euro 2012-winning squad were thrown on in the final 30 minutes of the game, as Vilanova brought on Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Pedro for a run-out, while also giving playing time to Olympic youngsters Martin Montoya and Cristian Tello.

Without possession, Ancelotti's side were forced to rely on set-pieces and counter-attacks, but it was Barcelona who scored once more when Messi converted a penalty won by Alexis. PSG had a spot kick of their own soon after, and Ibrahimovic made no mistake against Barcelona's second-choice goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto. The custodian made two brilliant saves in succession to keep out Peguy Luyindula awhile later, but was forced to concede once more when Zoumana Camara nodded home an 82nd minute header.

In the shoot-out, Pinto shone by stopping PSG's first two attempts, while team-mates Messi, Xavi, Fabregas and Pique converted their efforts to secure the victory.

Barcelona will play Manchester United in Gothenburg on Wednesday.