While the summer window is about to kick off for FC Barcelona, they must also look forward to their pre-season beyond this campaign. Currently focused on ensuring the La Liga title returns to the Catalans for the first time since 2018/2019, their opponents for the upcoming pre-season have simultaneously also been decided.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the current plans for FC Barcelona during the trip to the United States of America for the 2023/2024 pre-season include engaging in clashes against four European giants. Two of these opponents include fellow Super League members while the other two have just recently been agreed with.
El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, Serie A record winners Juventus, this season’s UEFA Champions League semi-finalists AC Milan and Premier League contenders Arsenal conclude the list of four that Barca must face over the course of their USA trip.
With the official 2023/2024 season set to start on the 12th of August, Barcelona have until then to wrap up their preseason preparations in order to be ready for the upcoming season.
Originally, the Catalans were to face only three opponents while on tour, yet as Mundo Deportivo reports, it was due to generating more revenue for the success of their presented “Feasibility Plan” that FC Barcelona have decided to engage in another additional friendly.
This time around, the venues in North America will also include Los Angeles, a location that was not included in last year’s trip to the same country. Moreover, the El Clasico expected to take place in Dallas this time around would mark the third such encounter between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the US, with the two previous engagements having taken place in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
Lastly, FC Barcelona will also need to remain wary of the fact that they must partake in the annual Joan Gamper trophy as well after the conclusion of their US trip.
However, given how condensed the schedule is and with the little time remaining following their return to Spain, it is believed that the possibility of having to play out the Gamper game during the actual official season itself remains likely.
However, with Camp Nou expected to be under construction for the upcoming season, possible alternative venues include the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and maybe to play the game in Basel, Switzerland, with that option still on the table according to Diario SPORT.
