A Swiss giant is preparing to match Barcelona in a pre-season friendly, with both teams set to benefit from the high-level encounter.
FC Barcelona’s summer pre-season schedule has undergone rapid changes as club directors worked swiftly behind the scenes to address an unexpected gap in their calendar.
Following security concerns regarding their originally planned trip to North Africa, the Catalan management prioritized the safety of players and coaching staff while ensuring Hansi Flick’s squad still receives a high-level competitive match.
The historic opposition meeting the Spanish champions on August 16 is 20-time Swiss Super League champions, FC Basel.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, negotiations between both clubs have reached advanced stages, with the match scheduled to take place at St. Jakob-Park in Switzerland.
This replacement match follows Barcelona’s prudent decision to cancel their August 15 friendly against Ittihad Tanger due to recent migration tensions in Ceuta and potential security risks.
Although forfeiting the Morocco trip means missing out on an estimated €4.5 million appearance fee, Joan Laporta and the board maintained that player welfare outweighs financial gain.
Currently managed by former Juventus and Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner, Basel boast significant European pedigree and roster quality.
Their squad includes Swiss international star Xherdan Shaqiri alongside forward Albian Ajeti, striker Bénie Traoré, and veteran goalkeeper Marwin Hitz.
Facing an opponent already well into their domestic schedule provides Barcelona with a rigorous physical and tactical test before La Liga kicks off.
For Hansi Flick, finalizing this fixture resolves a major logistical headache, providing his team with vital match sharpness.
The German coach plans to use the St. Jakob-Park match to fine-tune his pressing mechanics, test positional combinations in his double pivot, and build match fitness for returning international stars.
While the financial yield will be lower than the Tangier match, replacing Morocco with a trip to Switzerland offers the perfect solution as pre-season preparations enter their final phase.
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