Barcelona’s final pre-season fixture sees them host Tottenham Hotspur in the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy.
Xavi’s side recently ripped through Real Madrid at the AT&T Stadium in the United States, as goals from Ousmane Dembele, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres sealed a comprehensive 3-0 Clasico win.
AC Milan have also been beaten by the odd goal in pre-season, though there’s clearly lessons to be learned for some of Barcelona’s new signings after the 5-3 defeat to Arsenal – admittedly that game was the first time Xavi’s players had taken to the field in months.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are Barca’s final hurdle, with a La Liga clash with Getafe well and truly on the horizon. Here’s how Xavi may line his side up.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – The German goalkeeper conceded just 18 goals last season and had a save percentage of 84.7%. Pretty good going.
RB: Jules Kounde – Although not a natural right back, Kounde’s impressive performances in the role make a transition back to centre half less and less likely.
CB: Ronald Araujo – One of the best central defenders in world football last season, Araujo is the kind of a player you want coming up against Harry Kane, or in this case, probably Richarlison.
CB: Eric Garcia – Still a little error prone and that will concern Xavi heading into Barcelona’s defence of La Liga.
LB: Alejandro Balde – With Jordi Alba a distant memory, Balde now has the chance to cement a regular role in Barca’s lineup for years to come.
DM: Oriol Romeu – Not many Southampton fans would have wagered on Romeu returning to Barcelona to be Sergio Busquets lite, but here we are.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – The transfer window hasn’t felt the same without the incessant noise surrounding the future of De Jong. The Dutchman won’t mind though, as long as Barcelona cough up the money he’s owed.
CM: Pedri – One of the brightest midfield prospects in the world, Pedri is primed to dominate for Barcelona in the centre of the park.
RW: Raphinha – Looks to have outduelled Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres in the ‘please keep me Barcelona stakes’, and could do his chances of regular action no harm with a stellar showing here.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – The Pole has yet to be properly replaced at old stomping ground Bayern Munich, but the veteran striker certainly didn’t leave his scoring boots behind. 33 in all competitions while acclimatising to a new league and country? Not bad at all.
LW: Ansu Fati – The tricky winger’s future at Barcelona is far from uncertain, so Fati may feel he has a bit of a point to prove to Xavi. A roasting of Pedro Porro would be a pretty good start in that regard.
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