Only Neto, absent from training with authorization to negotiate his departure from Barça, will be absent the presentation of the team (7:15 p.m.), which is celebrated before the Joan Gamper trophy dispute. The 31 players who follow the orders of Xavi Hernández are summoned for the act and the following game against Pumas de México (8 p.m.)in which Dani Alves plays, who at the same time will be able to receive the farewell tribute from Barcelona fans.
The biggest incentive, however, is to pay tribute to new recruits. Robert Lewandowski has already received his mass bath this Friday at Camp Nou, but the others (Raphinha, Christensen, Kessie and Kound) were presented without an audience, in the silence of the sports city.
No minutes for everyone
The long list includes the players Barca want to transfer, although for now he continues to train with the group under his current contract.
Umtiti, Braithwaite and Collado, who could be loaned out, are on the list; also other doubtful cases of continuity, such as Pjanic, Memphis or Frenkie de Jong, as well as Ferran Torres, injured, and who has not yet played a match. He won’t do it against the Pumas either. Koundé will play around half an hour in what will be his comeback after undergoing pubic surgery in June.
Umtiti, already whistled during last summer’s presentation, and Braithwaite will hardly have a minute between the abundance of players and their refusal to leave despite being ordered by Xavi to find a team. Maybe they don’t even go to Camp Nou to avoid a bitter and unnecessary drink.
take the pressure
“We have generated enthusiasm and we are also excited. The objective this year is to win titles and make the Catalans happy,” Xavi Hernández openly admits, not escaping the pressure he will have in his first complete campaign and with all the signatures he requested, except that of César Azpilicueta.
Manager expects left-back – negotiations with Chelsea for Marc Alonso continues its course – and dreams of the icing on the incorporation of Bernard Silva for the midfield. Manchester City are not planning to part ways with the footballer, which he appreciated like Pedri to slip that he would only accept the exchange of footballers. Alonso didn’t play for Chelsea at Everton to avoid an injury which could affect his move to Barca.
Xavi assures that he has good feelings due to the level he has seen in training and matches, much improved compared to last season. He attributes it to the competition the signatures have generated. “We will give everything to make the Catalans proud of the team,” he told club media.
“We have generated enthusiasm and we are also excited. The objective this year is to win titles and make the Catalans happy”
Xavi Hernandez / Barça coach
Alves, “culé until death”
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The Gamper serves as a traditional welcome and, on this occasion, it will be used to pay tribute to Dani Alves. Xavi accepted the incorporation of the 39-year-old veteran defender in November convinced that he would help the team to emerge. At the end of the League, he did not know if it would be extended or not, and he could not say goodbye to the supporters. Chance, with the invitation to the Pumas and having it be his new team to stay active and reach the World Cup, gives him a unique opportunity.
“Football is beautiful,” he said on his return to Barcelona, which buried the disappointment he felt at not being able to say goodbye and receive applause from the fans in May. midday. “It will be later, because we are culé until death”, he said, anticipating that he will live “a very special moment”. “I love this club too much. The only thing that makes me lazy is that I wear white”, he joked, referring to the Pumas uniform.
The summoned list
Guardians: Ter Stegen, Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas.
Defenses: Dest, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Pique, Eric, Umtiti, Alba, Balde.
Midfielders: Sergi Roberto, Busquets, Pjanić, Pedri, Nico, Frenkie de Jong, Kessie, Gavi, Collado, Pablo Torre.
Forwards: Dembele, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Aubameyang, Ferran, Ansu Fati, Memphis, Braithwaite and Abde.