The start of the 2024/25 La Liga season is just around the corner and Barcelona complete their preparations for the new campaign by taking on Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Monday night.
After starting the pre-season with just nine senior players, Hansi Flick looked like his career was over this summer, but with the help of La Masia, Barca were able to enjoy a successful tour of the USA.
Barca scored the first goal against Real Madrid in another away Clasico and drew level with Manchester City and Milan to enjoy an unbeaten tour. Since returning to Catalonia where they will meet on Monday, Flick's side open their La Liga campaign in Valencia on August 17.
Monaco were named as Barca's opponents in the annual competition last month and are aiming to become the first team since Sampdoria 12 years ago to win the hosts. The French club have been busy this summer after a fantastic 2023/24 season in which they finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 table.
Here it is 90 min preview of Monday's Joan Gamper Trophy.
Barcelona vs Monaco H2H Record (All Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Barcelona |
Monaco |
|---|---|
|
Barcelona 2-2 Milan – 07/08/24 |
Monaco 1-2 Genoa – 04/08/24 |
|
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid – 04/08/24 |
Club NXT 0-2 Monaco – 02/08/24 |
|
Barcelona 2-2 Manchester City (4-1p) – 30/07/24 |
Feyenoord 1-3 Monaco – 31/07/24 |
|
Barcelona 1-0 Olot – 25/07/24 |
Sturm Graz 2-2 Monaco – 20/07/24 |
|
Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona – 26/05/24 |
Monaco 1-1 Cercle Brugge – 13/07/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
N/A |
|
United States |
N/A |
|
Canada |
N/A |
While Flick is leaning on growing talent at La Masia in the US, he should be able to call up most of his senior squad on Monday.
However, the German is still without Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Ronald Araujo due to injury, but Lamine Yamal could return from his extended break. Ferran Torres should be there.
Fermin Lopez may not be there as he competes for gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday night. The do-it-yourself player will be resting up before the curtain goes up next Saturday.
Barcelona predicted to face Monaco (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Christensen, Martinez, Balde; Bernal, Casado; Raphinha, Gundogan, Victor; Lewandowski.
Monaco were stunned by Serie A side Genoa last time out, but it would be a surprise to see Adi Hutter make a big departure from the team that started in the south of France.
Former Premier League defenders Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu are both likely to be available, but Youssouf Fofana may not feature due to doubts over his future. Mamadou Coulibaly is out for a long time with a knee injury.
Breel Embolo and Folarin Balogun worked in tandem against Genoa and Hutter is likely to keep that dynamic in Barcelona.
Monaco predicted to face Barcelona (3-4-1-2): Kohn; Singo, Kehrer, Salisu; Vanderson, Camara, Zakaria, Ouattara; Minamino; Embolo, Balogun.
Monaco were at their best last season under Hutter and are an interesting team to watch. Strong and direct, they serve as an effective outfit for the Bundesliga.
The visitors will no doubt give the hosts a thing or two to think about, but Barca rarely lose these games. No invited team has lifted the Joan Gamper Trophy since 2012, and only three teams have claimed the title since 1997.
While Flick still has no major names, his Barca side must find a way to get the job done on Monday.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Monaco
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, FOLLOW THE HUMORS AND GOSSIP
Source link
