Barcelona have their final preseason test of the 2022 summer as the Catalan giants gear up for the coming La Liga campaign.
The Blaugrana take on Mexican side Pumas UNAM at the Camp Nou on Sunday in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy, with the Liga MX squad making the overseas trip to face one of the world's most famous clubs.
It will be a final peek at how Xavi believes his best starting lineup is constructed, afforded a wealth of incredible attacking talent thanks to a prolific summer offseason for Barcelona. New signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Franck Kessie have all made a positive impact in the attacking third.
Additionally, new defensive signing Jules Kounde adds yet another top player to the bulging Barcelona back line.
LIVE BLOG: Highlights, commentary as Barcelona taken on Pumas at the Camp Nou
Sunday's friendly match between Barcelona and UNAM Pumas from the Camp Nou will be broadcast by Univision and TUDN in the United States. Both channels are among the soccer-friendly channels available to be streamed on fuboTV.
In most other territories, a subscription to BarcaTV+ is required to watch the game. BarcaTV+ is the premium streaming service exclusive to FC Barcelona.
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With the La Liga season set to begin in one week's time, Barcelona will look to build chemistry among players in the expected starting lineup. Xavi will get headaches trying to fit his best attacking talent into the lineup on a weekly basis, with so many world-class attacking players at his disposal.
Talisman Robert Lewandowski was a lock to start up front long-term, and his supporting cast isOusmane Dembele and Raphinha. That leaves Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ansu Fati, and Memphis Depay are on the bench, while Ferran Torres is behind the others, working his way back from an offseason injury.
In defense, Gerard Pique has been a key leader at the back when healthy, but is rested in this match before the season begins. Instead, it's Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia partnered together and natural midfielder Sergi Roberto moves to right-back over Sergino Dest. Andreas Christensen, Pique, and new arrival Jules Kounde are all on the bench. New midfield man Franck Kessie also gets a rest from the start in today's friendly after a solid preseason performance, likely to make an appearance in the second half.
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Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Ter Stegen (GK) — Roberto, Araujo, Garcia, Balde — Gavi, Busquets, Pedri — Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Barcelona subs (17): Pena (GK), Tenas (GK), Dest, Pique, Christensen, Kounde, Alba, N. Gonzalez, Pjanic, Kessie, F. de Jong, P. Torre, F. Torres, Aubameyang, Fati, Abde, Depay.
🚨 SQUAD LIST FOR THE TROFEU JOAN GAMPER! pic.twitter.com/vWyag4VV6x
The lineup headliner for Mexican side Pumas UNAM is former Barcelona player Dani Alves who surely factored into the selection of his new club to play in this match.
Pumas are in the midst of a strange Apertura season with five draws through the first six matches. Head coach Andres Lillini can't seem to get star striker Juan Dinenno going after his successful finish to last season, with the Argentine stuck on just a single goal.
Lillini goes with Adrian Aldrete at left-back over fellow former Mexican internationals Efrain Velarde and recent starter Jero Rodriguez. California-born Jorge Ruvalcaba could see a run-out on the wing at some point. The 21-year-old is a Mexican youth international and played college ball at Cal State San Bernardino less than two years ago.
Pumas starting lineup (4-3-3): J. Gonzalez (GK) — Aldrete, Freire, A. Ortiz, Bennevendo — Lopez, Meritao, D. Alves — del Prete, Dinenno, Salvio.
Pumas subs (12): Galindo, Trigos, J. Rodriguez, M. Garcia, Diogo, C. Gutierrez, Huerta, Alcala, Caciedo, Velarde, Ruvalcaba, Montejano.
¡Apenas llegamos y ya estamos enamorados de la ciudad! 😍🇪🇸 Ahora sí, todos en Barcelona. ¿Ustedes, auriazules, cuándo llegan? Queremos ver sus fotos.🤭⬇️#OrigenDeLaPasión #SoyDePumas pic.twitter.com/UOE6LQP6fB