Who has the most to prove for Barcelona this pre-season?
A short, but important, preseason is about to begin for Barcelona.
No matter what some may say, these games matter. They’re important for the manager to see his players using the tactics for the first time against quality competition. They’re also important because, for the first time, fans will get a look at the new coach himself, and start to make impressions.
Just look at what happened to new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Yes, it’s a summer friendly, but losing 4-1 to Celtic is a horrible way to ingratiate yourself to a new fanbase. Flick, like Maresca, is a coach who wants things done on the field in a very specific way. Getting that to click may take time, so Flick will have to be strategic about the goals he’s setting in these first few games.
The first objective is to get a look at the players, so he can start to fill out his roster.
Big names won’t be making the American tour. No Lamine Yamal or Ferran Torres after a run with Spain to the Euro Championship. No Pau Cubarsi or Fermin Lopez, who are featuring at the Paris Olympics.
Many other big names, shoe in starters in fact, are out injured.
That means this is truly a tour for the academy stars.
In that respect, these games will be an exciting watch for die hard Barca fans, looking to see who the next names to break through onto the first team may be.
On the defensive side, Julian Araujo is back from his successful loan at Las Palmas. He’ll be battling it out with Hector Fort to provide depth at full-back behind Alejandro Balde, who’s coming back from injury. The right-back position is an open question with doubts around the return of Joao Cancelo, and the departure of Sergi Roberto, who was never likely to play in there anyway.
In the center, all eyes will be on Mikayil Faye, who was frustrated to never get a Barca debut under Xavi. He won’t have a lot of time to show Flick he is ready to perform at the first team level. With demand on the market for his services, don’t be surprised to see him on the move while the transfer window is open if he can’t convince the coach.
And that’s not all. Flick brought with him several other academy defenders. Gerard Martin, Andres Cuenca, and Alex Valle, will get an opportunity to train with the team, and maybe force their way onto the field for some game time.
The battle of the midfield, however, may be the most consequential.
No Pedri, Gavi, or Frenkie de Jong to start the season. And no new signings in sight.
Flick seems determined to give an opportunity to Marc Casado and Noah Darvich, a defensive and an attacking option to add depth to the roster. Casado is young, but has had lots of time to develop in the academy, and truly internalize the Barca way of playing. Darvich is green, but an exciting prospect from Germany who may have already earned the favor of Flick.
Pablo Torre and Oriol Romeu, don’t forget, are also still around, and may be needed with so many players in doubt at their position.
Still no Nico Williams or Dani Olmo means the forwards will also get a chance to prove themselves.
No one needs a better showing than Vitor Roque. If it doesn’t work out for the Brazilian this summer, Barca could be in trouble with their newest investment.
Pau Victor and Toni Fernandez will be exciting prospects to watch, who could surprise some people.
But Robert Lewandowski will be the one front and center, with fans and pundits alike, wondering if the Polish superstar can get back to his best under his former manager at Bayern Munich.
Starting with Manchester City, this will be a real test for Barcelona. Against a possession dominant team, how will they match up? With such a young team, will Flick have them go mano a mano?
Real Madrid will be a different story. The Galacticos are looking to show off their new toys with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. This game will be all about pride for Barcelona. Do not let the bastards get in your head. A strong showing against the Spanish archenemy would do wonders for any Barcelona player looking to make a name for themselves heading into the season.
But no one has more to prove than Hansi Flick himself.
The manager has a tough job ahead, and he’s not been given a great hand to begin with.
Still, in the world we live in, people will expect results from the beginning. That doesn’t necessarily mean winning all your preseason games. But it does mean giving onlookers a sense that the leader knows what he’s doing.
And that there is something to believe in.
Draw back the curtains. Ready or not.
It’s showtime for FC Barcelona.