After almost two months, club football seems ready to bring in the enthralling and nail-biting fixtures for football fans. However, much action has been happening at the biggest European clubs to prepare themselves before the 2024/25 campaign. The same has been the case with FC Barcelona; the club has been improving itself from the previous day under Hansi Flick. And now, it seems the thing they have been waiting and preparing for has finally arrived: the preseason.
FC Barcelona Vs Man City Preview
As the new Barcelona manager, it would be the first challenge for Hansi Flick, which the German needs to encounter against some of the biggest European names. Flick's side is to face Manchester City, Real Madrid, and AC Milan as a part of their preseason campaign. Not only would it be a difficult job to face these clubs, but emerging as the winner against them with an injury-stricken squad would test the new Barca era considerably. Lining up first against Barca would be Pep Guardiola's Man City.
FC Barcelona will kick off their US Tour against Manchester City in the Camping World Stadium on 31st July. For a considerably low-strength Barca squad that would miss the likes of Lamine Yamal, De Jong, Pedri, and Araujo, it would be a significant job for the young players to challenge the Etihad club. However, the absence of big players makes it the best opportunity for youngsters like Pablo Torre, Bernal, and Darvich to compete for a place in Barca's next season eleven.
Moreover, for fringe stars like Raphinha and Ferran Torres, it would be a massive opportunity to lead the wing attack in the absence of Yamal and Nico and fight for a place in the eleven. Considering the form in which Raphinha has been in the last few games for Barca, and thus, his role grows manifolds to take the Barca side home. Not only that, eyes would be on Barca's lead striker, Robert Lewandowski, as Flick counts on him a lot, and with their reunion, the upcoming campaign might become his best Barca season.
Bolstering the midfield line would be most probably Ilkay Gundogan. Returning after a good Euro campaign, his form would be crucial against his former Etihad club. Given the experience of leadership he brings in, his role becomes much more important in playing a decisive role in Barca's midfield, which currently lacks the availability of De Jong and Pedri. The opportunity to lead the backline would be on Kounde's shoulders; returning a tremendous Euro campaign, the defender's presence would mean a lot for Barca's defense.
Apart from that, a lot would be expected from Marc Ter Stegen, as he would probably be leading the Catalan club, as Sergi Roberto has left Barcelona. Being the new captain, it would be important for Ter Stegen to lead a comparatively weak youth side under the management of Hansi Flick. Though the German goalkeeper lacks nothing in experience, he surely needs to deliver a masterpiece as his game time has been limited recently.
Considering the last clash of the two European biggies, the friendly fixture had ended in a 3-3 electrifying draw. In the game's last minutes, Riyad Mahrez converted the penalty, which saw Man City go 3-3 against the Blaugrana club. Also, Manchester City are yet to get a brilliant start to their 2024/25 campaign as well, as the Etihad club was hovered by Celtic, 4-3. Even though they had an extremely young lineup against Celtic, the loss would surely bring some pressure on Pep's side.
Scoreline Prediction
Summing up the above, it would certainly be an enthralling fixture that might witness a goal-scoring fest, as happened in their previous matchup. Analyzing the current scenarios of both clubs' 3-2 scoreline might be a wise prediction in favor of the Catalans. If FC Barcelona do manage to pull off the first game of their new campaign, it would be a massive boost and will help the club gain confidence for upcoming games.