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Attendance: 51,391

Pre-season Friendlies

Aug 5, 2018 at 1.05am UK

AC Milan
1-0
Barcelona

Silva (93')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Match Report

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Football

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde urges "calm" over Ricard Puig

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: August 5 2018 | 20:22

Last updated: August 8 2018 | 06:25

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde attempts to keep supporters' expectations in check following calls for young midfielder Ricard Puig to start against Sevilla next week.

Ernesto Valverde has urged supporters to not get carried away by the performance of young midfielder Ricard Puig in Barcelona's friendly with AC Milan.

The 18-year-old performed well during his 45-minute cameo at Levi's Stadium, having also stood out in Barca's previous two International Champions Cup outings.

Fans have called for Puig - nicknamed "Riqui" - to be thrown into the starting lineup for the upcoming Spanish Super Cup showdown with Sevilla, but Valverde wants to keep expectations in check.

"Of course, we are happy with the response of all the 'B' players who have come in," he told reporters in Santa Clara. "Riqui has played a great second half, but we must be calm with the players. We get very excited; it's about winning the Super Cup, not seeing if Riqui comes or not."

Barca lost the friendly 1-0 after conceding to the last kick of the game from Andre Silva.