Barça Return To Scotland
Tuesday, 20 May 08, 08:11 PM · Comments (10)
Barça have confirmed that the preseason stage will again begin in Scotland. Barça will arrive on July 21 and play two games, one against Hibs on Thursday 24th (kick off 7.45pm Scottish time/8.45pm in Barcelona) and another against Dundee United on Saturday 26th (4pm in Scotland/5pm in Barcelona). Last season Barça also started their preseason in Scotland beating Dundee United 0-1 and Hearts 1-3, and then of course we returned in the Champions League against Rangers and Celtic. The rest of the preseason games have still to be confirmed.
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Barcelona's perseason preperation has to be about actually preparing for the season and being in peak physcial condition for the beginning of the season.
How can the team be?? Some of the team will be at the European Championships, then we have to go to Scotland, then maybe games around north Africa and maybe even MLS!!
Have the board not realised these things!!
I think that these games are primarily designed to initiate team dynamic and fusion, to validate or further tweek systems of play , to experiment positional assignments for players and to build confidence. Preseasons always belong to the coaches (so to speak). The last thing a coach wants is to exert his or her players more or sooner than the opposition. These games also allow players to have fun, bond with new teammates and set the tone for a great season.
@ Diatus
I agree with you for the most part. The team and its players need to try different syles of play and bond with their teamates especially in Barca as there seems to be a new team every year!
BUT, my point is why do they have to do on three different continents? Surely it backfires when you take your team to Africa, America and Scotland in the space of a few weeks :)
W00t!!! Luis Enrique is back! He will be taking charge of Barca B :)
LINK
BTW, Diatus - you are absolutely right. Preseason is the chance for Pep to test out new players/tactics/positioning prior to the start of La Liga.
You do not want to Kill the players right at the start. What is important is that they become more confident with themselves and with each other. They work on match fitness and communication on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Also there is no huge time diffence in Scotland. Traveling to Africa/America/Asia weighs heavily on players because of the massive Jet-lag.
Barca has decent following in Scotland and will be trying to have a bigger presence there.
Barca has had a Great relationship with the Old firm teams and the fans treat each other with respect ( CL games against Celtic and Ranger).
Plus the extra $$ is nice too :)
Pep - now coach of Barca
Lucho - now coach of Barca B
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Puyol next captain of Barca B ? When Pep leaves and Lucho takes over for him? ^_~
10 Comments · Add yours
does anyone know where or who they are playing in the MLS this summer?
mls games are probably tbc still! i reckon the board are still ironing out the financial side of things!
i don't understand the attraction of playing against hibs or dundee?? i'd understand if barca were participating in a tournament involving celtic or rangers at least but surely the best pre-season preparation should be against more world-class opposition?