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Barcelona kick off their pre-season schedule with their first game this season as they take on Gimnastic Tarragona at Estadi Johan Cruyff this week. The Blaugrana have an impressive youth setup and will be looking to prove their mettle in this game.
Gimnastic Tarragona reached the second phase of Segunda’s B Division last season, but was unable to secure a promotion. The Catalan side have made some changes in recent weeks and will look to stun their neighbors on Wednesday.
Barcelona, ​​on the other hand, have improved under Ronald Koeman and will look to add to their Copa del Rey success this year. The Camp Nou squad have been active in the transfer market and the coming weeks could prove to be crucial for their immediate future as a true European giant.
Head to head Barcelona vs Gimnastic Tarragona
Barcelona have an impressive recent record against Gimnastic Tarragona and have won five of the last seven games played between the two teams. Gimnastic Tarragona only managed to win one of those games and will have to step up this week.
The previous meeting between the two Catalan teams took place last year and ended in a comfortable 3-1 victory for Barcelona. Gimnastic Tarragona struggled in this game and has a point to prove this week.
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Barcelona vs Gimnastic Tarragona team news
Barcelona
Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are currently recovering from long-term injuries and have been excluded from this game. Pedri represents Spain at the Olympics and will not be able to participate in this match.
Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are enjoying extended breaks after a grueling summer of international football. Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona training sessions this week, but they are unlikely to play a role in this game.
Injured: Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Marc-André ter Stegen
Doubtful: Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Antoine Griezmann
Unavailable: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Ronald Araujo, Clément Lenglet
Gimnastic Tarragona
Gimnastic Tarragona has made some changes to his squad this summer and will take inspiration from his new signings for this game. The Catalan side will have to field their best team against Barcelona.
Injured: Nothing
Doubtful: Nothing
Suspended: Nothing
Barcelona vs Gimnastic Tarragona Predicts XI
Barcelona Predicted XI (4-3-3): Inaki Pena; Sergi Roberto, Gerard Piqué, Santiago Ramos Mingo, Sergino Dest; Nico Gonzalez, Miralem Pjanic, Riqui Puig; Yusuf Demir, Alex Collado, Jordi Escobar
Gimnastic Tarragona Predicts XI (4-2-3-1): Manu Garcia; Carlos Albarran, Pol Domingo, Marc Trilles, Joan Oriol; Jannick Buyla, Francesc Fullana; Robert Simon, Pedro Del Campo, Fran Carbia; Pedro Martin
Prediction Barcelona vs Gimnastic Tarragona
Barcelona’s youth academy have produced a few gems over the years and Alex Collado and Nico Gonzalez will have their chance this month. The Catalans also signed Yusuf Demir this summer and the Austrian prodigy will be looking to impress Ronald Koeman this week.
Gimnastic Tarragona will see this game as an opportunity to prepare for another promotion offer and will look to hold on Wednesday. Barcelona are the best team on paper, however, and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Gimnastic Tarragona
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