FC Barcelona will lock horns with Spanish fourth-tier outfit Unió Esportiva Olot in their first pre-season 2022-23 friendly at Camp Municipal d'Olot in Girona on Wednesday. The match will start at 10:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Under head coach Xavi, Barcelona have announced a 21-man squad to begin their preparations for the 2022-23 season.
Spain national team duo Ansu Fati and Pedri have been called up for the first pre-season friendly after missing the majority of the last season due to injuries.
Goalkeepers Marc- Andre ter Stegen, Inaki Pena, defenders Sergino Dest, Alejandro Balde and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the other notable inclusions in the squad.
New summer signings Franck Kessie and Pablo Torre are also included in the squad and are expected to play against UE Olot on Wednesday.
As far are absentees are concerned, the likes of Ronald Araujo, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, Martin Braithwaite, Memphis Depay, new signing Andreas Christensen, Samuel Umtiti, Eric García, Óscar Mingueza, have just returned from vacation and will miss the first pre-season friendly.
Meanwhile, Gerard Pique, Sergio Roberto and Ferran Torres are yet to recover from their injuries and will sit out the match.
On the other hand, Olot secured promotion to the Segunda Division RFEF after finishing second in Group 5 of the Tercera Division RFEF last season. Olot defeated Tenerife B in the final game of the fifth-tier of Spanish League to claim a promotion.
New signings Forgas, Ferran Brugue and Urri could feature for Olot in the pre-season friendly at Camp Municipal d'Olot.
Barcelona and Olot have played quite a few friendlies in the 20th century. The last time these two sides met, Barcelona secured a 3-1 victory in 1980.
FC Barcelona squad vs UE Olot
Goalkeepers: Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña
Defenders: Sergiño Dest, Mika Mármol, Chadi Riad, Alejandro Balde, Àlex Valle, Arnau Casas
Midfielders: Franck Kessie, Miralem Pjanic, Álex Collado, Pedri, Nico González, Pablo Torre, Marc Casadó, Antonio Aranda
Forwards: Ansu Fati, Ez Abde, Fabio Blanco, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ilias Akhomach
Where to watch Olot vs Barcelona pre-season friendly live in India?
Live streaming of UE Olot vs FC Barcelona pre-season friendly will be available on Barca TV+, the Catalan club’s official in-house streaming service.
There will be no live telecast of UE Olot vs FC Barcelona pre-season friendly on any TV channel in India.
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Featured photo: LLUIS GENE / AFP