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Five FC Barcelona preseason takeaways

By Luis Garcia

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 08: Barcelona players leaves the pitch after the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 08, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 08: Barcelona players leaves the pitch after the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 08, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) /
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This preseason  FC Barcelona had a rocky start and had somewhat of a rocky finish as well. Amongst transfer rumours, stomach illnesses, and a U.S. tour, Barcelona lost their first match. After that, they won three in a row, with wins against Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Tottenham. This run of warmup matches has also allowed for the emergence of several storylines. Let’s take a look at five of them here, and try to imagine the impact they might have on the upcoming season for the Catalans.

  1. Barcelona really need an RB

This has been a theme throughout this summer that’s only been exacerbated by the actual matches. Barça have once again been forced to resort to playing Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo at right back. It’s becoming more and more painfully obvious that neither of them are at their best here.

Koundé prefers to play at centre back, where he does very well. However, he’s fine at right back… just fine. More jarring to watch is Araújo. He is quite possibly a top 5 centre back in the world. On the right, he’s quick, yes, but he lacks the skill and passing necessary to truly be effective there. And, dare I say, his defending in that position hasn’t been his usual stellar self, either. Tottenham’s first goal came from his side, on a play where he was left completely bamboozled.

Of course, Barcelona have been heavily linked to right-backs like Iván Fresneda, Arnau Martínez, and even João Cancelo. It’s looking quite clear that one of these players will be signed, FFP allowing. Any of them would be an upgrade over the current situation and would allow Koundé and Araújo to play back where they belong. Hopefully, this also means we won’t have to see Sergi Roberto as right back in any big games either.