Raphinha marked his Barcelona debut with a goal and two assists as the Spanish giants kicked off their four-match US tour with a comprehensive 6-0 thrashing of David Beckham’s Inter Miami on Tuesday.
The Brazilian, signed from Premier League club Leeds United earlier this month for around $60 million, capped a promising first outing for his new club with a well-taken first-half strike after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given the LaLiga giants the lead at a sold-out Drv Pnk Stadium.
With fellow new signing Robert Lewandowski not involved ahead of his official unveiling in Miami yesterday – following his move from Bayern Munich – it was left to Raphinha, 25, to get the thousands of Barcelona fans in attendance excited about the future.
“I was very happy to score my first goal and to play well and I hope that continues,” Raphinha said. “This is a system which favours me and I think I can really help the team moving forward.”
The Brazilian was making his debut alongside fellow newcomer Andreas Christensen, who left Chelsea at the end of the season, and both were impressive against Phil Neville’s side.
Predictably, Barcelona dominated possession against the MLS team and former Arsenal forward Aubameyang went closest on 15 minutes to opening the deadlock when his close-range effort flashed past the post.
There was no denying him soon after when he coolly chipped the ball past Inter Miami keeper Nick Marsman following good work from Pedri and then Raphinha.
And on 25 minutes, it was Raphinha’s turn to get on the scoresheet, the Brazilian expertly guiding home an Alejandro Balde cross to double Barcelona’s lead.
It was completely one-way traffic and Raphinha capped a good night’s work with another assist just before halftime, teeing up Ansu Fati who expertly smashed home from close range.
This was the first game of Barca’s US tour which will see them face Real Madrid, Juventus and the New York Red Bulls before the start of the new LaLiga season on August 12. – AFP
