logo
Official: Barcelona announce opponents for Joan Gamper Trophy

Official: Barcelona announce opponents for Joan Gamper Trophy

Yahoo6 days ago
La Liga champions Barcelona have on Tuesday announced the club's opponents for the 2025 edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy match.
The club awaiting Hansi Flick's troops in the clash? Como 1907.
The impending Joan Gamper clash has of course emerged as a prominent talking point in Catalunya's capital over recent weeks.
This comes after widespread speculation surrounding a potential venue change ultimately culminated in the fixture being shifted from the Camp Nou to Montjuïc.
The one detail still to be confirmed by the Barcelona brass, though, was their opponent for next month's clash.
Rumours had long been in circulation that the Blaugrana were in talks with Serie A outfit Como over participating in the annual event.
And as alluded to above, on Tuesday, confirmation has been forthcoming that Cesc Fàbregas' side will indeed play their part.
As per a statement across the website and social media platforms of Barcelona:
Conor Laird – GSFN
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How do Manchester United's summer signings change Ruben Amorim's tactics?
How do Manchester United's summer signings change Ruben Amorim's tactics?

New York Times

time2 minutes ago

  • New York Times

How do Manchester United's summer signings change Ruben Amorim's tactics?

In early June, The Athletic offered the below starting XI as a suggestion of how Manchester United could play with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the side. In late July, we want to explore how these two purchases impact the tactical dynamics of Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3. The arrival of Cunha and Mbeumo should bolster the attacking competency of Amorim's side, but that does not mark the end of United's possible moves in the transfer market. The club are still in search for a reliable goalscorer who could combine with the new duo, and the best type of striker for this role can be found in one of the pair's previous partners. Advertisement Cunha played alongside a variety of centre-forwards across his time in Wolverhampton, but his more successful periods last season saw him play off Jorgen Strand Larsen — a 6ft 4in (1.93m) striker who does the majority of his work inside the penalty area. He provides a soft blueprint as to how United may approach any future recruitment. The new United pair have a fondness for attacking the half spaces, reducing the need for the centre-forward to drift wide in search of the ball. Instead, the front three would be best led by a physical player who prefers to play on the last line of a defence. This hypothetical No 9 would push opposition back lines towards their own goal, giving Amorim's new signings – and Bruno Fernandes behind them – further space to exploit. The pace of Rasmus Hojlund and Chido Obi means they have some suitability for the role. However, the latter is only 17 and still adjusting to the rigours of senior-level football, while the former's movement in and around the penalty box suffered a confidence-related regression in 2024-25. Hojlund's 23.1 touches per 90 ranked among the bottom 10 per cent for Premier League forwards last season, and his 1.4 shots per 90 put him in the bottom one per cent. Hojlund didn't shoot enough last season, and there was a naivety to his off-ball runs that made him easy to defend against. It is hoped the summer break will allow him a period of reset and readjustment. A proper pre-season under Amorim may help him address previous frailties, but it is understandable the club is on the lookout for another forward. Joshua Zirkzee's tendency to drop deep and link up with team-mates should make him an intriguing second option for Amorim when needed. The Dutchman could serve as a target man, holding the ball up in the final third before Cunha and Mbeumo attack the spaces further forward that have been vacated. Amorim's new signings should reduce the need for Zirkzee to become a 10-15 goal striker, provided he can create space and establish attacking chemistry with his new team-mates. Amorim's two new signings mean Fernandes will likely spend 2025-26 playing in central midfield. The club captain's improvement in certain aspects of his play last season made him a more viable option when playing in deeper areas, but Amorim has a potential headache when deciding on who to best pair with him. Casemiro is the best player for the role among his current options, but he is now 33 and unable to cover space with the same intensity as in previous years. Manuel Ugarte has the mobility, but is not the kind of ball carrier nor passer Amorim seemingly desires. Advertisement The head coach may opt to change Fernandes' midfield partner based on the strengths/weaknesses of opponents. Teams that are likely to defend deep and frustrate may see Casemiro or Kobbie Mainoo entrusted with the role, while matches against more front-footed opponents may see Ugarte or Toby Collyer chosen for their ability to run, tackle and cover ground. United's pre-season 0-0 draw with Leeds United already saw the head coach discuss the importance of pace and energy in midfield. Given his preference for a two-player partnership, United will need to find an aggressive and athletic player who can help protect the centre of the pitch. Fernandes is not your typical box-to-box player, making it a challenging task to find a complementary partner for him. Head here for a look at players who could — theoretically — fit the bill. Mbeumo should serve as an amplifier of all that is good on the right side of United's attack. His arrival also requires a recalibration of the situation at right wing-back. Amorim's years in charge of Sporting CP saw him first convert full-backs into wing-backs, before later adapting more conventional wingers for the role. Early press conferences at United saw him occasionally refer to those in the wing-back positions as wingers, and his deployment of Amad in the role has differed from that of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui. 'It's really important in the position that Garna (Alejandro Garnacho) played today (against Athletic Club), as a right No 10, to have a left foot. It can change the way you play,' said the head coach towards the end of last season. 'To have some wingers that are more offensive than defensive, that can change the way we play.' A look at Mbeumo's runs from last season reveals a player fond of hunting in the left half-space. Give him time and space on the ball, and he'll look to drive into the penalty area before cutting inside to shoot on his left foot. If he cannot do that, then the 26-year-old has the pace and the nous to beat a full-back on the outside before whipping a cross in. These are all good things that would be enhanced by playing next to an attacking wing-back who can provide frequent overlapping runs, either to give Mbeumo an easy ball on the outside, or to help drag away defenders and ease his forays into central areas. However, defensive solidity from the wing-back would be essential, given Cunha, Mbeumo and Fernandes' desire to get forward and start attacks. Advertisement Amorim faces a difficult decision about who to pair with his new forward. Dalot has the athletic capacity for the role, able to offer overlapping runs and sprint back to retreat when needed. However, he can be erratic when crossing, which limits his effectiveness when going forward. Mazraoui is a dependable performer, but is not a dominant one-v-one defender, which can cause issues further back. Amad at right wing-back, alongside Mbeumo at right-sided 10, carries a tantalising amount of attacking potential. The Ivory Coast international is also left-footed with a preference for cutting inside into central areas, but has shown his talents in wider areas in the past. Amad's hat-trick against Southampton in mid-January gave evidence of his attacking form when playing at wing-back; making late runs into the opposition area and causing havoc. His performance in a 4-0 win over Everton also demonstrated his defensive skills at wing-back. Amad may 'only' be 5ft 8in (1.73m) but he can be a clever, proactive defender, pushing up and snatching possession away from opponents whenever he senses a poor touch or bad pass. 'What does Mbeumo's arrival mean for Amad's United future?' is a question worthy of its own 1,000-word piece. It also requires at least one pre-season game where they play together before The Athletic can begin to answer. (We've chosen to focus on right wing-back for this section as Patrick Dorgu, Diego Leon and Luke Shaw offer enough variety in overlapping runs, ball progression and defensive nous to make Cunha's acclimatisation easier on the left.) The defensive alignment of Amorim's back three will go a long way in providing the proper foundations for the attacking work of Cunha and Mbeumo ahead. United have an abundance of centre-backs that can help in this regard. The attacking forays of an Amorim wing-back are best protected through the athletic endeavour of the wide centre-back behind them. Leny Yoro's recovery pace makes him the best United centre-back when defending large areas of space, so he is — theoretically — the best option at right centre-back behind. However, the Frenchman showed glimmers of attacking prowess when operating on the left towards the end of last season, something Amorim may wish to nurture in this upcoming campaign as a way of helping Cunha and others. If Yoro is deployed on the left, then Amorim might be inclined to play Mazraoui at right centre-back, given his experience and comfort when defending the wings. Last season, he developed a keen playing relationship with Amad on the right, which could be tweaked again, with Mazraoui offering overlapping runs from right centre-back as Amad and Mbeumo both look to attack the half spaces. Matthijs de Ligt also provides a no-nonsense, tough-tackling alternative from right centre-back in the event Amorim wants more defensive solidity in the wider areas. Cunha and Mbeumo have been signed, sealed and delivered to Amorim. Now begins the head-scratching tactical conundrum. There's a considerable risk that United could mutate into a top-heavy 'great entertainer' side: one capable of scoring goals, but unable to limit the quantity and quality of chances teams have against them. Advertisement A positive pre-season (and clean bill of health) will be essential to getting the best out of Cunha and Mbeumo early, as well as additional movement in the transfer market to address issues at centre-forward and central midfield. The arrival of the duo creates nice problems for the United head coach to address through rhythm, routine and developing attacking patterns. Cunha and Mbeumo, working in sync with the likes of Fernandes, Amad, and others, should be something for fans to get excited about.

Chloe Kelly ‘so proud to be English' after latest Lionesses heroics in Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly ‘so proud to be English' after latest Lionesses heroics in Euro 2025 final

Yahoo

time29 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Chloe Kelly ‘so proud to be English' after latest Lionesses heroics in Euro 2025 final

Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly declared she was 'proud to be English' after her latest heroics delivered Euro 2025 glory in Basel. Kelly converted the winning penalty in the shootout win over Spain, three years after scoring the winning goal in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. The 27-year-old admitted she almost quit football in January after being frozen out by Manchester City but has enjoyed a redemptive spell on the pitch. Kelly scored a penalty to keep England alive in the quarter-final shootout over Sweden before converting a penalty rebound in the semi-final win over Italy. Kelly told the BBC: "I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English. "I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice. "Unbelievable. All the staff behind us and Sarina Wiegman - she has done it again. Unbelievable. "It is going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it." Kelly had been dropped by Wiegman in February following her exit from Manchester City but quickly regained her place. And she gave Wiegman credit for allowing her the opportunity to regain her spot in the squad following her loan move to Arsenal. 'She is bloody amazing. She is an incredible woman,' Kelly said. 'What she has done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. 'What she has done for me, individually, she gave me hope, when I probably didn't have any. She gave me an opportunity to represent my country again. 'I knew that I had to get game time, because representing England is never a given. But what she has done for the women's game, not just in England, she has taken it to a whole other level. 'The work doesn't go unnoticed from the staff that are behind her, they are incredible. people and I am so grateful to have worked with such amazing staff members.'

Spain may not have won – but at least this tournament shows how much has changed
Spain may not have won – but at least this tournament shows how much has changed

Yahoo

time29 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Spain may not have won – but at least this tournament shows how much has changed

Vicky Lopez expressed the feelings of the entire team. It was her first major defeat with the senior Spain side and she was sobbing as she collected the silver medal, unable to contain her emotions. The world champions had just lost the Euro 2025 final against England following a penalty shootout, falling at the final hurdle in their bid to add the European Championship to the World Cup they won in 2023 and the Nations League trophy lifted in 2024. The disappointment will be felt deeply. They were the favourites against the Lionesses, even though this was their first final in this competition. In fact, Spain had never previously won a match in a knockout game at a European Championship. But when the dust settles and the pain of defeat has eased, they can at least reflect that this tournament has represented a huge step forward for the Spanish national team. The final outcome might suggest otherwise, but they will surely remember Euro 2025 as a significant moment in the development of women's football in the country. The 2023 World Cup arrived amid a battle between the players and the Spanish football federation, the RFEF, that had been brewing for some time and exploded in September 2022 after the last Euros. The players were demanding minimum conditions that would allow them to perform at their best. They became particularly aware of this with the professionalisation of club teams, led by Barcelona, and saw the difference between playing domestically and internationally. For many of them, playing for the national team was like a trip back in time. What did they mean by that? Well, everything. The players wanted better. They wanted to go to competitions in good time to ensure recovery from the journey and avoid it affecting the first match. They wanted to travel in the most comfortable conditions possible to avoid fatigue. They wanted a nutritionist, analysis of their opponents and themselves, enough friendly matches to prepare, physical trainers, more physios, optimal training-ground conditions and elite training. They felt other teams already had all of this and that it put them at a disadvantage when they faced them. Because when talent was equal, the best-prepared team won. Another issue was the hotels. They were always isolated, far from the venues hosting the matches in each competition. 'We hardly had any friendly matches, we were staying in hotels located in industrial estates next to petrol stations… we didn't have the same facilities as other teams to recover quickly, and we had fairly limited staff,' former player Veronica Boquete told The Athletic about the 2013 Euros. Years later, that situation had not improved in line with the developments in the women's game. In 2022, the team travelled to Marlow, a small town west of London. For the 2023 World Cup, they were based in Palmerston North, a city in the middle of New Zealand's North Island, far from all the venues. After the group stage, they had to move to Wellington because there were concerns that the condition of the pitch could cause injuries and the facilities proved to be inadequate. This summer, the RFEF decided to base the team in Lausanne, a beautiful city with a lake in the centre of Switzerland, close to all venues. The location was convenient for transport and the players felt so comfortable that after each match, they asked to spend the night there instead of in a hotel in the city where they were playing — Bern, Thun, Zurich — except for the day of the final in Basel. The training ground chosen, the Juan-Antonio-Samaranch Stadium, is one of the best available in Switzerland and the same is true of their chosen hotel, the Hotel Royal Savoy. The RFEF requested that vinyl stickers be placed throughout the hotel where the players would be staying so they would feel at home and know how to get to where they needed to go. They also travelled with a chef and, for the first time, a maitre d'. The facilities included a room to help players who are mothers, such as Irene Paredes, balance their family life. It was also useful for Alba Redondo and her stepdaughter. It was a small room with children's games and a table and chairs for children, close to the dining room where families could eat in peace and where players who needed to could congregate after each meal to be with their little ones. Patri Guijarro is the yardstick for measuring the level of improvement. She was one of 15 players who asked not to be selected in September 2022 and did return to play in the World Cup. She did not want to come back until the conditions were optimal, until the improvement was real. For the 2024 Olympics and this European Championship, she decided she was satisfied the change had taken place. She returned, becoming one of the best players in the tournament. 'Now we have the perfect food, we recover better with more physios, a psychologist, comfortable travel, a gym in all the facilities… those details also make a difference on the pitch,' Guijarro said in an interview with El Mundo a few weeks ago. 'I remember that in England (Euro 2022), the food was always the same. When you're at the top, those details matter.' At Euro 2025 — and for the first time — two doctors and six physiotherapists travelled with the team, along with seven people from the communications department, one from ticketing and another from fan experience. The improvement is dramatic and it is keenly felt. Sources in the dressing room, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their positions, told The Athletic the players finally have confidence that they have professional conditions in absolutely everything. They also feel this is the first tournament they have played in where they have been able to focus solely on football. Since the team began making improvements, and as soon as they were given a truly professional structure, they have won a World Cup, a Nations League and reached their first Euros final in just two years. During this tournament, they have taken their game to new heights. Their identity is increasingly solid, with an unmistakable style of possession and positioning: tiki-taka. They finished top of Group B, unbeaten and having scored 14 goals. They were the highest-scoring of all 16 teams in the competition. In the knockout stages, they eliminated hosts Switzerland (2-0), beat Germany in extra time (1-0) and reached the final for the first time. They showed their strengths, with a midfield that knows each other perfectly, Aitana Bonmati, Guijarro and Alexia Putellas setting the pace for an enthusiastic team in attack. Defensively, there were some weaknesses but ultimately it took a penalty shootout to defeat them. Now, the players can rest. Their fight for better conditions has been admirable from the outside but devastating from the inside. Three years after it began, they can say it was worth it. The song chosen as the soundtrack for the Euros in the Spain dressing room was 'El principio de algo' (the beginning of something) by Spanish band La La Love You. And that's what this Euros feels like for Spain, the beginning of something. Even if they lost the final. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Spain, Soccer, La Liga, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store