Barcelona vs. Sampdoria. Score, Reaction from 2016 Joan Gamper Trophy

Barcelona grabbed their first trophy of the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, beating Sampdoria 3-2 in the Joan Gamper Trophy match at the Camp Nou stadium.

Lionel Messi scored twice in the first half and added an assist for Luis Suarez’s opener as well, as the Catalans dominated Sampdoria. Luis Muriel hit back for the visitors, but the Italians never seemed capable of keeping up with the Blaugrana.

The Catalans failed to convert a host of chances after the break, and Ante Budimir restored some excitement with a goal 15 minutes before the final whistle.

As shared by the club’s official Twitter account, Barcelona gave summer signing Lucas Digne the chance to start, while Suarez and Messi also made the starting XI:

Barça XI ??: 13.Bravo 3.Piqué 4.Rakitic 5.Sergio 7.Arda 8.Iniesta9.Suárez 10.Messi 19.Digne 20.S.Roberto 24.Mathieu#GamperFCB

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2016

Sampdoria were the last club to beat Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy, back in 2012, and the Catalans showed early they were keen to avenge that loss. The visitors aimed for the counter-attack, but a quick break from the hosts nearly saw Messi poke home from close range.

Arda Turan forced Emiliano Viviano into a fine save with a powerful header, before Fabio Quagliarella almost picked out Karol Linetty with a cross on the other side of the pitch.

A quick combination between Turan and Suarez almost unlocked the Italian defence, while Sampdoria gladly attacked as well, with Quagliarella trying his luck with a shot. The former Juventus man was one of Sampdoria’s main bright spots early, while Andres Iniesta stole the show early for the hosts.

The Spaniard fired a hard shot wide of the goal before setting up a beautiful attack for Barcelona’s first goal, with Messi finding Suarez with a clever overhead kick. La Liga blogger Rafael Hernandez loved it:

Messi’s first bicycle kick assist and Suárez scores.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 10, 2016

The goal appeared to hand Barcelona the boost they needed after a slow start, and just a few minutes later, Messi doubled their lead. The Argentinian continued a run into the box after a chipped pass and lingered after the attack broke down, setting him up for an easy goal after the ball was sent back over the top of the defence.

Sampdoria reduced the deficit within the minute, however, as Iniesta …

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