FC Barcelona’s third pre-season under coach Hansi Flick is beginning to take shape. The squad will return to Ciutat Esportiva on July 13 for medical tests and initial training sessions ahead of the new campaign.
The team will then travel to England for a training camp at St George’s Park from July 27 to August 3. During this stay, Barcelona will play their first pre-season friendly on July 31 against Birmingham City.
The match is scheduled for 7:45 pm UK time (8:45 pm in Spain) and will be held at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham’s home ground. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in over six decades.
Historically, they have faced each other five times officially, all in the former Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, a predecessor of today’s UEFA Europa League. Barcelona holds the advantage with three wins, one draw, and one loss.
Birmingham’s squad features players familiar to Barcelona fans, including Paik Seung-ho, who spent time at La Masia, and Carlos Vicente, who previously faced Barcelona with Deportivo Alavés.
Barcelona are also expected to play a second friendly in England, likely against Championship side Stoke City or Watford. This match might be behind closed doors to give coach Flick further opportunities to assess the squad.
After returning from England, Barcelona plan another friendly against Liverpool in Kenya. Following that, the team will compete in the Joan Gamper Trophy match, though the opponent has yet to be confirmed.
