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Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match Preview

By Robert Barter

Sergi Samper from Spain and Adria Ortola from Spain during the first FC Barcelona training session of the 2018/2019 La Liga pre season in Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Barcelona on 11 of July of 2018. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sergi Samper from Spain and Adria Ortola from Spain during the first FC Barcelona training session of the 2018/2019 La Liga pre season in Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Barcelona on 11 of July of 2018. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Pre-season is set to kick off with Tottenham match-up.

Preparation for the new season is well and truly underway as Barcelona have arrived in the United States to kick-start their pre-season tour, where they firstly take on English outfit Tottenham Hotspur in Los Angeles on Saturday night (4:05 A.M BST). With both sides depleted of their usual first team players due to World Cup commitments, the backdrop is there for Valverde to mix youth and experience and assess his options moving forward.

13 Barcelona B players in the squad

Much to the delight of the fans, Valverde has included 13 players from the B team, providing them all with the perfect chance to leave an impression on the coach. Although fan favourites Sergi Samper and Carles Aleñá have missed out through injury, promising full-backs Marc Cucurella and Sergi Palencia have been included, while young prodigy Riqui Puig also travelled.

Having recently been awarded a professional contract with a release clause of 100 million euros, Puig will be eager to make his mark and announce himself to the Barcelona faithful.

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List of B team players that travelled: Jokin Ezkieta, Sergi Palencia, Marc Cucurella, Óscar Mingueza, Jorge Cuenca, Juan Miranda, Monchu, Álex Collado, Riqui Puig, Abel Ruiz, Carles Pérez, Chumi, Ballou.

New signings on display

New signings Arthur Melo and Clément Lenglet were part of the contingent that departed from Barcelona on Tuesday, while Brazilian winger Malcolm is set to follow suit. Malcom’s inclusion has some significance, however, as Barcelona are scheduled to play Roma next Wednesday at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, the club who thought they’d signed Malcolm from Bordeaux before Barcelona made a late swoop.

Regardless, these games are ideal for said signings as it allows them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, while also giving the fans a glimpse of what is to come.

Senior significance

Although chances are bound to be given to younger players and the newer signings, there is still some importance in regard to the senior players that have travelled. Valverde will look to get the best out of unwanted weight, such as Aleix Vidal, Lucas Digne and André Gomes, in an attempt to raise their transfer value, while players such as Denis Suárez, Nélson Semedo and Paco Alcácer, who have got a future, will look to impress in a bid to get more game time this season.

Next. Aleix Vidal close to making Sevilla return. dark

No matter what the result, the main aim of pre-season is to improve player fitness before the important games come around, and the first challenge opposite Pochettino’s Spurs side should go a long way in providing it.