Europe's big leagues are set to return this weekend, but before the Premier League and La Liga get underway, two top teams from those countries prepare to face off in a preseason clash. They are Tottenham and Barcelona, with the Catalan powerhouse set to host the English club in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Between the two clubs, Barcelona have more time between this tie and their first league game of the 2023-24 season — albeit the difference is only a few hours. Additionally, the expectations for both clubs will be different, with Blaugrana fans keen on seeing the Spanish giants win La Liga and reclaim the UEFA Champions League crown.
As a result, preseason has been vital for Xavi's men. Unfortunately, things did not get off to a lovely start for the Spanish champions, with Lewandowski and Co. suffering a 5-3 loss against Arsenal in the United States.
However, as pointed out by Xavi on that day, the Gunners were at another level in terms of intensity. Barcelona quickly rectified this in their second game, taking on Real Madrid in El Clasico and beating their rivals 3-0, a victory which they followed up on with another triumph, this time beating AC Milan 1-0.
And with the Spanish champions kicking off their title defense this Sunday against Getafe, it is important for Xavi's men to carry this moment into the upcoming campaign. This fixture will not take place at the iconic Camp Nou due to the reconstruction going on there but the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys will be the venue, leaving Barcelona with the home advantage.
The Catalan side won the Joan Gamper Trophy last summer and have won this annual exhibition match for 10 years running. Will Spurs bring an end to that run?
Tottenham enter the new campaign with several question marks looming over their heads, the first surrounding the future of club captain Harry Kane. The Englishman, who has entered the final year of his contract, continues to be linked with an exit, and despite the 2023-24 season being a few days away, those rumors have not gone away.
England's all-time top scorer is being heavily pursued by Bayern Munich and while Daniel Levy has been reluctant to sell, a resolution to this matter is needed urgently, with the North London giants keen on avoiding losing him for nothing next summer.
Despite all this turbulence, on the pitch, Kane continues to show why he is one of the most coveted strikers in world football. The Premier League star grabbed all the headlines during his team's friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk, with the 30-year-old scoring four past the Ukrainian heavyweights.
And so far, life under Ange Postecoglou has been going considerably well. While the newly-appointed head coach kicked things off with a 3-2 loss against West Ham, the Australian tactician has followed that up with back-to-back victories, thrashing Shakhtar and Lion City Sailors 5-1.
Barcelona is the only game left for the North London side before they commence their Premier League campaign on Sunday against Brentford. Things could have ended better for Spurs the last time they crossed paths with the Blaugrana. Tuesday gives them the opportunity to correct this.
Team news
Barcelona: Gavi and Andreas Christensen are unfit and unlikely to feature in this tie. Meanwhile, Inigo Martinez is still recovering from his injury while doubts linger over Ilkay Gundogan. Franck Kessie and Ousmane Dembele, who are both set to leave the Blaugrana this summer, will not feature in this tie as well.
Tottenham: Xavi isn't the only one missing key players as Spurs will have to make do without Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Bryan Gil. Richarlison, meanwhile, is a doubt. Fraser Foster will sit this game out while Micky van de Ven is unlikely to make his debut.
Key stats
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Barcelona are unbeaten in their last four encounters with Tottenham, winning two and drawing two.
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However, the Catalan giants have only kept one clean sheet in those four run-ins with the North London heavyweights.
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This will be Spurs' second appearance in the Joan Gamper Trophy, haivng appeared back in 1986, beating AC Milan 2-1.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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