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FC Barcelona vs. Chapecoense: Joan Gamper Trophy Preview

By Laieke Abebe

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Sergi Roberto, Arda Turan, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Lucas Digne, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona celebrate after Luis Suarez scored the opening goal during the Joan Gamper trophy match between FC Barcelona and UC Sampdoria at Camp Nou on August 10, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Sergi Roberto, Arda Turan, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Lucas Digne, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona celebrate after Luis Suarez scored the opening goal during the Joan Gamper trophy match between FC Barcelona and UC Sampdoria at Camp Nou on August 10, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona hosts Chapecoense in the first home match of the season for the Blaugrana: the preseason friendly known as the Joan Gamper Trophy match.

The Joan Gamper Trophy match signals the first home match of the new season for Barcelona. It brings all of the local fans back into Camp Nou for another round of great football. It is named after Joan Gamper, a pioneer of football. He helped to create FC Barcelona in 1899 and played for the club. In addition to that, he became the president of the club in 1908 after his playing days ended.

This year, the Gamper match has a special guest, Associação Chapecoense de Futebol. Known for short as Chapecoense, the Brazilian club from Santa Catarina was on their way to the biggest triumph. However, tragedy struck at the worst possible time as they were on a flight to play in arguably the biggest match in their clubs history.

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After making it to last years Copa Sudamericana final, they were involved in a plane crash on their way to the match in Colombia.  71 of the 77 passengers on board died in the crash. This included 19 members of the Chapecoense first team. It was a tragedy that shocked the football world to its core.

However, many different teams from around the world came to the aid of Chapecoense during their time of mourning. Atletico Nacional, the team Chapecoense would’ve played in that final, campaigned for them to be awarded the title. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, approved and gave the trophy and the prize money to the Brazilian club. In addition to that, Barcelona came to the aid of Chapecoense.

The Blaugrana decided to invite the Brazilian club to Camp Nou to play in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. In December, Barca released a statement voicing their desire to bring Chapecoense to Camp Nou. Now, the two teams will get to put on a show in front of the great fans at Camp Nou for a good cause.

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Overall, no matter what the result is, both teams and the fans will get something good out of this match. It is another way to prove that this is what sports are all about. After this match, Barcelona will have a week to prepare for the two-leg Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid. Chapecoense are currently in their Brasileiro Série A campaign sitting close to the relegation line. Of course, there are still many matches to play so we’ll see how Chape can rebound.