Barcelona maintained their winning form in pre-season, despite no Lionel Messi, as they triumphed 2-1 over Napoli in Miami on Wednesday night. Sergio Busquets had struck seven minutes before half time at the Hard Rock Stadium to put Ernesto Valverde's team ahead. But an own goal from Samuel Umtiti four minutes later had left the sides back all square. However, Barcelona, who had left it late to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday at Camp Nou, did it again in the United States as Ivan Rakitic netted the deciding goal 11 minutes from time. Barcelona had fielded a strong side with both Luis Suarez, who scored the winner against Arsenal, and Antoine Griezmann starting. There was no Messi of course. The Argentine striker had hurt a calf muscle in training on Monday and the side's captain now faces a race against time to be fit for the club's opening game of their La Liga title defence against Athletic Bilbao on August 16. Before then Barcelona play Napoli again, this time in Michigan, on Saturday evening as they conclude their brief United States tour.
