Nàstic 1-1 Barcelona: Alcacer on target but more injury misery for Vermaelen

Barcelona continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Nastic at the Nou Estadi in Tarragona, a practice match as the club began life without Neymar.

Ernesto Valverde was without senior figures Gerard Piqué, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic for the game and so opted for a blend of youth and experience.

New signing Nelson Semedo again started in defence with Sergi Samper, Carles Alena, Javier Mascherano and Paco Alcacer also in the starting XI.

However, the visitors got off to a slow start, Manu Barreiro putting Nastic 1-0 up after 11 minutes.

Barca then suffered a further blow with Vermaelen forced off with yet another injury, and Marlon Santos replacing him.

Valverde opted to make two changes at the break bringing on Munir and Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Cillessen and Arda Turan as Barca chased an equaliser.

Alena tested goalkeeper Dimitrievski before a neat combination between Digne and Denis almost levelled it.

There were further changes as the game progressed, Jordi Alba, Douglas, André Gomes and Gerard Deulofeu arriving and the former Everton man going close but unable to convert.

Finally, however, Barca did level the scores, Alcacer making it 1-1 with a little over 10 minutes to go from a free kick.

Barca XI: Cillessen (Ter Stegen), Semedo (Alba), Mascherano, Vermaelen (Marlon), Digne (Douglas); Samper (Deulofeu), Sergi Roberto, Aleñá (Gomes); Arda (Munir), Denis, Alcácer.