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FC Barcelona vs. Juventus FC: Match Preview and Analysis

By Laieke Abebe

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 27: FC Barcelona team poses for a picture with the King's Cup after winning the Copa Del Rey Final between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 27: FC Barcelona team poses for a picture with the King's Cup after winning the Copa Del Rey Final between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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The preseason is set to begin for Barcelona as they start with an interesting clash against another European heavyweight in Juventus.

The wait is almost over for Barcelona fans all over the world. The Blaugrana is set to begin their preseason tour of the United States. Fans in the USA have anticipated their favorite Barca players coming stateside for a while. Finally, they will get their wish as Barca begin with Juventus in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match is met with a big story involving Neymar and his potentialy departure from Barca to PSG. Nonetheless, the match should bring excitement to everyone watching.

As for the Blaugrana, this match will be the first of a new era under Ernesto Valverde. He took over as the manager after Luis Enrique decided to take a hiatus from coaching. Like Lucho, Valverde is a former Barca player looking to keep his team dominant in Europe. Of course, all of the usual star names are out there including the great Lionel Messi. Luis Suarez will also be a part of the team that is playing across the United States.

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However, the biggest story surrounding the team is the future of Neymar at Barcelona. The star Brazilian winger has been linked with a move to PSG. It would take a world record transfer fee to lure Neymar away from the Catalans. Neymar’s contract with Barca involves an unbelievable €222 million release clause. Reports suggest that a deal is done, but at the same time nothing is official just yet. Overall, Neymar leaving Barca would be a big dent to the plans for the coming season. We will have to see what happens over the next week or so.

Another big part of the preseason is the new faces that will join the team this season. New right-back Nelson Semedo will wear number 12 for Barca over the matches in the International Champions Cup. Of course, a lot of La Masia products are on the team including Sergi Samper, Carles Aleñá, and Marlon Santos. Since it’s the preseason, expect the youngsters to see a good bit of action. Ernesto Valverde will want his team to be healthy going into the season.

Next: Neymar On the Move?

Overall, the preseason is almost here for Barca fans. The team will have their hands full with a high quality Juventus side. A lot of players are familiar faces from the team that lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final a few months ago. Marc Andre ter Stegen and Andre Gomes will rest after quality campaigns at the Confederations Cup. In the end, the fans should be excited to see their team return to action. It should be a fun match to start for the Blaugrana.