Messi back to his stellar best as Barcelona edge past Sampdoria

Leo Messi was back to his magical self scoring twice as Barcelona beat Sampdoria 3-2 in the Joan Gamper Trophy match at the Camp Nou.

From the get go, Luis Enrique’s side endeavored to win the ball back rapidly, while players, for example, Lucas Digne at left-back and the returning Arda Turan utilized the chance to demonstrate their capacities and put forth their case in front of the new season ahead. The Catalonian giants are currently favourites in the betting to retain their La Liga title and may be worth a bet at even money – those looking to bet however, should check out Safer Gaming for more information on how to gamble responsibly.

Luis Suarez got the first goal of the match on the sixteenth minute mark as Messi controlled a chip in the penalty box before bicycle kicking it in the path of El Pistolero, who was more than ready to pounce on such an opportunity.

After five minutes, Messi would twofold Barcelona’s lead. Ivan Rakitic lobbed the ball over Sampdoria’s defense before Messi showed great composure, took one touch on his right side to beat goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano and tap home to make it 2-0.

Two minutes later, Sampdoria cut Barca’s lead in half when an unlikely giveaway from Andres Iniesta permitted Fabio Quagliarella to play Luis Muriel in on goal for the Serie A outfit’s first of the night.

Messi was grinding away again in the second half with a flawlessly put freekick that left Viviano no chance and reestablished Barca’s two-objective lead.

In spite of tireless pressing from the hosts, Sampdoria again managed to cut the lead to one goal before full-time when newcomer Ante Budimir controlled the ball and volleyed home to make it 3-2 in the 77th minute.

Argentina’s new coach Edgardo Bauza was at the stadium, and the way Messi played at the low-weight Trofeu Joan Gamper incredibly stood out from the unique kind of anguish that prompted him leaving the Albiceleste.

Barcelona travel to Sevilla for the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 14, while Sampdoria kick off their Serie  A campaign with a trip to Empoli on Aug. 21.

Prior to the match on Wednesday, new signings Denis Suarez, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes were displayed to the Nou Camp group subsequent to arriving this summer.

The fixture was the 51st version of the Gamper Trophy as the Catalalonians recognized the 25th commemoration of first European Cup achievement which came as they beat the Italians at Wembley in 1992.