PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Manchester City

Match day has finally arrived! FC Barcelona are kicking off their highly anticipated summer tour in the United States, and the excitement is palpable. Just 48 hours after landing in sunny Florida, Barcelona are diving straight into their preseason schedule with their first game. The stage is set at the 60,219-capacity Camping World Stadium in Orlando, where they'll be facing off against Manchester City, the defending Premier League champions and recent Champions League winners. And adding an extra layer of intrigue, City are managed by none other than Pep Guardiola, a familiar face to Barça fans.

The match is slated for 7 PM local time on Tuesday (1 AM Wednesday morning CEST), promising an exhilarating encounter even though both teams will be missing some of their star players who participated in Euro 2024 and the Copa America. For Barcelona, this game holds special significance as it marks the debut of their new manager, Hansi Flick.

Barcelona will be taking the field without any of the members of the Spanish squad who clinched the Euro 2024 title. Additionally, Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, and Eric Garcia are away at the Paris Olympics, and Jules Koundé, who made it to the Euro semi-finals with France, is also absent. On the other hand, German internationals Marc-André ter Stegen and Ilkay Gündogan, along with Brazil’s Raphinha, have reported to the team camp, but it might be a bit too early for them to feature in this match.

City, however, are already a few games into their preseason campaign. They’ve had a mixed start, losing 4-3 to Celtic in North Carolina and then 3-2 to AC Milan in New York. With this being their third preseason match, Manchester City will be eager to secure their first win of the tour. Despite several key players still being absent, Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish, who didn’t participate in the Euros, are expected to be on the pitch.

An intriguing aspect of this game is the clash of two managers who have both achieved the remarkable feat of winning all six major trophies in a single year. Pep Guardiola accomplished this with Barcelona, while Hansi Flick did so with Bayern Munich. Their tactical minds and past successes will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement to the match.

For Barcelona, this preseason opener is not just about getting back into the rhythm of competitive football but also about setting the tone for the season ahead. The game against Manchester City offers a valuable opportunity for the new manager, Hansi Flick, to gauge the strengths and areas for improvement in his squad. It’s a chance for him to start building his vision for the team and to experiment with tactics and player combinations.

As for the fans, the match promises to be a thrilling spectacle. While Barcelona may be fielding a squad without their full roster of stars, there’s still plenty of talent on display. Young players and new signings will have the chance to impress and show why they deserve a place in the team. For Manchester City, this game is a chance to find their footing and build momentum as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Whether you’re a die-hard Barcelona supporter or a Manchester City fan, this match is set to be a captivating event. With two of the most successful managers in recent football history at the helm, the game is sure to be a showcase of top-quality football and strategic brilliance.

So, mark your calendars and set your alarms – this is one preseason match you won’t want to miss! The excitement of the new season is just beginning, and this game is a fantastic way to get a taste of the action to come. Here’s to an exhilarating encounter at Camping World Stadium, and may the best team come out on top!