Barcelona’s trip to face Birmingham in a pre-season friendly produced an unexpected local headline when new signing Karim Adeyemi was substituted at half-time and given a frank assessment by his manager.
Debut scrutiny after 45 minutes
Adeyemi, signed from Borussia Dortmund earlier in July, started the match but was taken off at the interval along with three team-mates. The friendly finished 2-2 and was ultimately settled on penalties, with the Spanish side failing to prevail.
In the first half the German winger had one shot which was blocked, completed 76% of his passes, did not record a successful dribble and lost possession nine times. After the game Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was candid about what he saw.
"Karim, some things he did were not that good,"
Flick tempered that appraisal with context, pointing out the player is still in the earliest phase of training with his new team and that he has shown better form in practice, particularly with speed and finishing. The manager added that Adeyemi retains potential to contribute to Barcelona.
What the night meant for Birmingham
For local supporters the fixture offered a rare chance to see a world-class club up close and to assess how Birmingham’s players matched up against elite opposition. Friendlies of this profile raise the club’s visibility and present a tangible sporting test ahead of the Championship campaign.
- Match result: 2-2 draw, Barcelona lost on penalties.
- Adeyemi: substituted at half-time; one blocked shot, 76% pass completion, nine turnovers.
- Manager reaction: Flick critical but noted potential and early training stage.
Next steps for the player and the club
Barcelona’s pre-season schedule will give Adeyemi further opportunities to establish himself. The club are due to play Nottingham Forest and Udinese in Italy on 8 August, fixtures Flick indicated would allow fringe and new players additional minutes. For Birmingham, hosting such high-profile opposition provides a valuable gauge of the squad and generates local interest as the season approaches.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Player recruited from | Borussia Dortmund |
| Time with Barcelona before debut | Signed in early July; still within first week of training, per manager |
| Match outcome | 2-2, Barcelona lost on penalties |
The match underlined the fine margins in pre-season: a high-profile visit that will be remembered locally for the upset on penalties and for the public airing of concerns about a new signing’s initial performance. For Birmingham fans it will also be an occasion to reflect on how the team copes with top-level opposition ahead of a competitive season.
