An ultimately disappointing night for Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona wasn’t without its merits.
The Catalans went down 4-2 to a much stronger Roma side, but the scoreline flatters to deceive, given that the Blaugrana were still leading this International Champions Cup match 2-1 with 12 minutes to go.
Lapses in concentration from some of the B team players promoted for the US tour were ultimately to blame, but the coach admitted afterwards that he wasn’t overly concerned.
One aspect that delighted him was Rafinha’s second great performance in as many matches. It’s the first time that Valverde has got to work with the Brazilian properly - and over an extended period, and he clearly likes what he sees.
Whether that means that there is a future for Rafinha at Barcelona – perhaps alongside his brother Thiago – remains to be seen.
Malcom was another to impress. A goal to his name, the new signing was explosive and always involved.
Readily available to receive at all times, his adaptation to what’s required of him has been almost instant.
Indeed, he was the man of the match for the Blaugrana against the Italians, and that won’t have escaped Ousmane Dembele’s notice.
Signed at this time last year amidst huge fanfare, the young Frenchman has done little to impress both his paymasters and the Camp Nou faithful.
Now a World Cup winner, the expectations on his shoulders will weigh heavier than they did 12 months ago, and if he doesn’t hit the ground running when he returns from his holiday, there’s every chance that Malcom takes his place.
It’s very early days of course, but in the space of two matches, Malcom has shown the coaching staff that he’s ready, willing and able to be the decisive winger that they thought they were getting when signing Dembele.
One can’t help but feel that there is reticence and nervousness in the Frenchman’s play, and on many occasions last season, that often meant Barca’s attacks were snuffed out with relative ease.
Valverde has made his intentions clear for the new season. He wants his players to press diligently and incessantly, and to take full advantage once the opponents cede possession.
For a lightning quick player like Dembele, that’s an invitation for a give and go, or just to go it alone - something Malcom certainly appears to have in his locker.
If the former Borussia Dortmund man thought he could take time to settle into his second campaign at the club, he is sorely mistaken.
