Fiorentina vs. Barcelona: Score, Grades and Reaction from 2015 ICC

Fiorentina beat Barcelona 2-1 on Sunday in the 2015 International Champions Cup at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Italy. Federico Bernardeschi netted both goals for La Viola, while Barca could only muster a Luis Suarez finish in response during a game in which all the goals were scored before half-time.

Barcelona took time to establish their familiar stylish passing game. A big reason for that was how direct Fiorentina were going forward.    

The Italian side raided the flanks with their pace, helping Bernardeschi score twice in the first 15 minutes.

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Barca boss Luis Enrique rested several key stars, including South American attacking duo Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. But he did still include Suarez as the focal point up front, along with Pedro.

In midfield, there were places for crafty playmakers Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta. Defensively, Gerard Pique, left-back Jordi Alba and little-seen ex-Arsenal man Thomas Vermaelen were expected to marshal things at the back, per the club's official Twitter account:

As for Fiorentina, new boss Paulo Sousa, making his home bow, handed a start to striker Khouma Babacar. He also included Spaniard Borja Valero at the heart of midfield.

But it was on the wings where the Serie A outfit proved most dangerous early on. La Viola consistently got behind Barca's full-backs to deliver teasing balls from the wings.

That's how Bernardeschi's goals were created. He first headed home Valero's enticing cross, per Football Live Goals:

"

GOAL! Fiorentina 1-0 Barcelona http://t.co/LDfP2OcQdn

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) August 2, 2015"

Next, it was Joaquin's turn to cross from the right for wide forward Bernardeschi. He met the ball with a deft finish:

"

GOAL Bernardeschi! Fiorentina 2-0 Barcelona http://t.co/CyQoEgKdQi

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) August 2, 2015"

But once got their trademark slick passing game going, a goal soon followed. Suarez, who looked sharp throughout, netted after a fine combination move with Iniesta dictating the play before Rakitic lobbed a smart pass into the gifted striker's path:

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GOAL SUAREZ! Fiorentina 2-1 Barcelona http://t.co/Uy3QVb6AqV

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) August 2, 2015"

Barcelona dominated the rest of the half. Pedro, Suarez and Alba all wasted excellent chances as Sousa's men struggled to get a touch of the ball.

He responded by introducing pint-sized striker Giuseppe Rossi and bullish midfield Mario Suarez to start the second half. Meanwhile, Enrique brought on young forward Munir for Iniesta.

The change appeared to pay immediate dividends as Munir tested the Fiorentina goal:

Less than 10 minutes later, a double block denied Suarez and Sergio Busquets amid heroic Fiorentina defending:

Still trailing, Enrique took Suarez and the influential Rakitic off in favour of young talents Marc Bartra and Sandro Ramirez. Despite the inexperienced look to Barca's team, Enrique's side still pressed forward.

But with former Atletico Madrid man Suarez and Valero breaking things up in the middle, Fiorentina resisted the pressure. Without Iniesta and Rakitic, Barca were struggling to find the decisive pass, although Alba was afforded more chances to get forward once the dangerous Joaquin was withdrawn.

The game petered out somewhat during the later stages. Both managers continued to make a host of changes, which naturally disrupted the flow of play.    

Grades

Federico Bernardeschi: B+

A constant menace in the first half, he showed solid pace, excellent movement and the touch of a deadly finisher to stake La Viola into a two-goal lead.

Luis Suarez: B+

Suarez never stopped making threatening runs between the lines and off the last shoulder of his marker. He always presented a target for Barca's pass-masters in the middle.

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Ivan Rakitic: B

Brilliant in possession, he exuded a calm authority and was unerring in setting up Suarez in the first half. The La Liga champions lacked ideas without him.

Joaquin: B

Tireless running up the right flank caused Barca issues all night. His forward bursts kept Alba in check and provided more than a few inviting crosses into the box, both in the air and on the deck.

TIZIANA FABI/Getty Images

Pedro: D

He offered little going forward, often embarking on solo runs instead of linking with another forward player. Pedro seemed eager to impress on what could be one of his final outings for Barcelona.

La Liga pundit Graham Hunter suggested the 28-year-old will soon be plying his trade in England's Premier League:

Afterwards, Enrique bemoaned the absences is his current squad. He also provided an update of sorts on a possible injury to Iniesta, per Barca Stuff:

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Luis Enrique: "We're good when we're 100%, but if not we're not that good anymore. Iniesta injured? Doesn't seem to be bad." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) August 2, 2015"

The English website of Catalan newspaper Sport noted how Enrique's men have struggled for goals without Messi and Neymar. Of course, that's only natural given the awesome talent those two possess.

But it will surely concern Enrique how much his team is lacking in front of goal this pre-season. Yet if it does, he didn't show it after the game.

Instead, Enrique focused on the positives of Barca's classy approach play:

But Enrique also indicated that won't be enough. Balance between solid defending and fluid attacking will be key as the club bids to defend the treble it captured last term:

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Luis Enrique: "We need to improve in defense. Opponents can't have that much space. We worked on it, but we'll have to work harder."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) August 2, 2015"

Finally, Enrique swatted away a question regarding Pedro's transfer status:

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Luis Enrique: "Pedro exit rumours? There's no news." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) August 2, 2015"

Pedro was far from his best in Florence. But his apparently imminent exit will increase the burden on the prolific Suarez, Messi and Neymar trio. 

Barca will now prepare to wrap up their pre-season work by entertaining AS Roma in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Saturday, Aug. 8, just three days before meeting fellow La Liga side Sevilla in the UEFA European Super Cup.

La Viola will start their Serie A fixtures by welcoming a rebuilding AC Milan team to Florence. First, though, they'll complete their ICC tournament commitments by visiting Stamford Bridge, the home of reigning Premier League champions Chelsea, on Aug. 5.