Three takeaways from FC Daegu 0-5 Barcelona | OneFootball

After taking apart FC Seoul by a 7-3 scoreline last week, Barcelona put five past Daegu FC to complete the perfect pre-season.

The team looked well-oiled throughout, and Hansi Flick used the opportunity to test out new dynamics and altered the lineups in both halves compared to previous games.

Goals from Gavi and Robert Lewandowski in the first half and Toni Fernandez and Marcus Rashford after the break eventually helped the team to a 5-0 win on the night, one that will be seen as the perfect end to the Asia tour.

After all, it also saw the team maintain their first clean sheet and on that note, Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Daegu FC 0-5 Barcelona.

Gavi’s redemption arc has begun

A lot was said about Gavi last season despite the youngster just returning from injury.

After all, he was not at his best as he slowly made his way back to complete fitness after an ACL setback that kept him out for a year.

Gavi scored two goals against Daegu FC. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick was cautious with his use of Gavi through last season and ensured that he was returned to the team dynamics slowly. The player, for his part, also took matters with caution and did not overpush himself.

The pre-season tour, however, has seen him make a massive statement on his quality, and it is safe to say Gavi has shut his haters down with performances that make him a contender for a starting role.

While Gavi’s performances against Vissel Kobe and FC Seoul were impressive, the clash against Daegu FC saw him at his very best as he netted twice on the night.

Starting as part of the double pivot alongside Frenkie de Jong, he looked confident and shone with his distribution, defensive awareness and attacking instinct.

Neither of Gavi’s finishes on the night were simple, and his ability to beat the goalkeeper who otherwise shone speaks volumes about how match-ready the Golden Boy winner is.

His redemption arc has begun, and Barcelona will see the best of Gavi once more this season.

Interesting developments at centre-back

Despite having three natural centre-backs available to choose from against Daegu FC, Flick opted to hand Gerard Martin a start in the department alongside Ronald Araujo in what came as a surprising development.

Gerard Martin played as a centre-back. (Picture courtesy: FC Barcelona Official Website)

The player did indeed play in the same position against Seoul in the previous game, but Flick’s decision to hand him a start centrally only goes to show that the manager counts him as a central defender for the coming season. Surprisingly, the player did a fair job at it.

Playing 45 minutes as the left centre-back, Martin racked up one assist, created one big chance and made seven defensive actions, and it is clear that he has developed significantly from last season.

Martin’s entry as a valuable CB option adds him to a long list of options for the manager, including Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen.

With Cubarsi leaving the field injured towards the end of the game and Martinez already facing discomfort, the situation, just three games in, highlights the importance of retaining all players in the position.

Needless to say, Flick will now have second doubts over considering a departure in the position.

Olmo needs to do better

Dani Olmo’s performance against Daegu FC after coming on in the second half was far from a complete wreck, and the player did have a fair set of contributions in the attacking third.

Dani Olmo needs to step up in the 2025/26 season. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

The Spaniard racked up two key passes, created one big chance and had three shots on target in his 45 minutes in the second half and looked comfortable in tight spaces as he is known to be.

What let him down, however, was his decision-making at times and his efficacy in front of the goal.

For the number and quality of chances Olmo had, he should have had a brace of his own with better finishing or at least two assists had he opted to be less selfish and find the free man.

Instead, he went for the shot himself on every occasion and came out of the game with nothing to show.

While Olmo may not have played a terrible game, the competition for a starting spot in the attacking midfield is ruthless this season.

Fermin Lopez, Pedro Rodriguez and even the likes of Raphinha and Toni Fernandez are capable of playing in the position, and it is clear that Olmo, who currently is an undisputed starter in the position, must improve signing if he is to hold on to his position.