In an exciting development, FC Barcelona is set to face off against Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy, as revealed by Laia Tudel Prades, a regular contributor to the Radio Catalunya program Tot Costa.
The annual Joan Gamper trophy match, which traditionally marks the start of a new season, will take place on August 9. This news comes as Barcelona returns to training and prepares for a preseason tour in the United States, where they will play against top clubs such as Juventus, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and AC Milan from July 22 to August 1. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
Following a brief rest period, Barcelona will then host Tottenham Hotspur, the 2019 Champions League finalists, in the Joan Gamper Trophy. Due to ongoing renovations at Camp Nou, the iconic stadium is unavailable, prompting Barcelona to relocate their matches to Montjuic Stadium for the upcoming season.
Earlier reports had suggested the possibility of moving the match temporarily to Basel, Switzerland, where Joan Gamper was born. However, economic factors, including the potential to earn €1.5 million ($1.65 million), coupled with the need to prepare Montjuic for the 2023/2024 campaign as defending La Liga champions, have influenced the decision to host the match at Montjuic.
Barcelona had requested to play their initial league fixtures away from home, a request that has been partially granted. They will start their La Liga campaign with an away match against Getafe on August 13, followed by a home fixture against Cadiz on the 20th, an away game against Villarreal on the 27th, and finally, an away match against Osasuna on September 3, just before the two-week international break.
According to Tudel Prades, the match between Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur will indeed take place at Montjuic. This encounter promises to be an intriguing test for Xavi’s squad, especially if both teams field strong lineups. In last year’s Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona defeated Mexico’s Pumas UNAM with a resounding 6-0 victory, hardly breaking a sweat.
However, Tottenham Hotspur, as a Premier League side, could pose a formidable challenge for Barcelona, potentially playing a crucial role in the Catalan club’s aspirations to improve upon their recent Champions League performances, which saw them exit at the group stage in consecutive seasons.
The upcoming edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy will be played midweek, deviating from the usual weekend scheduling. This alteration means that Barcelona will have only two full days to prepare for their subsequent league match against Getafe, adding an additional element of intensity to their preseason preparations.
Fans eagerly anticipate this high-profile clash between Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, hoping for an exciting encounter that sets the tone for an enthralling season ahead. Get the latest updates from the La Liga only on Nextbet Sports.
