Barcelona’s final preseason friendly of the summer sees them take on Egyptian side Al Ahly in the 61st edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday.
The trophy has been contested since 1966 and allows top sides from across the soccer world to take on the Blaugrana in a one-off friendly match. Most opponents lose, but Al Ahly will hope to buck that trend as Africa’s first ever participant in the event.
Barcelona’s preseason campaign has taken them across Europe ahead of their imminent return to Camp Nou. After a behind-closed-doors win over Catalan side CE Europa, they traveled to England for a draw with Birmingham City, before facing Nottingham Forest and Udinese in a triangular tournament in Italy. Then they journeyed to Switzerland, where they beat Basel 5–2.
Their La Liga title defense commences on Sunday with a trip to Elche, with Hansi Flick’s side given an extra week to prepare for their opener due to the participation of so many of their players at the World Cup.
Barça flexed their attacking muscles against Basel at the weekend, welcoming back a host of late returnees following the World Cup. Lamine Yamal was one of them and, naturally, he got on the scoresheet, while the likes of Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé and debutant Anthony Gordon all featured.
Flick will be tempted to name an even stronger lineup in Catalonia and that will spell trouble for Al Ahly. The Egyptians are also yet to kick off their new season and never come up against such fierce opposition on the domestic or continental stage.
They could well be blown away by a Barça side looking to impress Flick just days before the new campaign, and buoyed by the backing of a home crowd.
The Blaugrana have won 47 of their 60 Joan Gamper Trophy matches, including 12 of the last 13, and they thrashed Como 5–0 last summer. Another hefty win could be on the cards.
