Barcelona's preparations for the 2021-22 campaign commence on Wednesday as third-tier side Gimnastic prepare to travel to the Johan Cruyff Stadium for a friendly battle.
Ronald Koeman's side will also take on Girona and Stuttgart before the new season gets underway, but for the first time in 16 years, a certain Argentinian will not be present during the club's pre-season matches.
Match preview
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While one trophy in the form of the Copa del Rey was secured during his first season at the helm, Koeman's failed pursuits of the La Liga crown and Champions League glory culminated in weeks of speculation surrounding a possible new face in the Blaugrana dugout.
The likes of Mikel Arteta, Joachim Low and former Catalan great Xavi were all tipped to take over from the Dutchman, but Joan Laporta has instilled his faith in Koeman for at least another 12 months as the 58-year-old seeks to establish his side's dominance both domestically and continentally once again.
After finishing seven points adrift of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid and falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, Koeman would have ideally liked to have dipped into a war chest for a busy summer of spending, but it has not panned out that way for the cash-strapped Catalans.
While the likes of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay represent impressive coups on free transfers, the trio reportedly cannot be registered for La Liga action until Barca trim their wage bill further, which could lead to a mass exodus of big earners in the coming weeks.
However, undoubtedly the biggest story from the Catalans' camp is the absence of Lionel Messi - now officially a free agent after running down his Barcelona contract - but negotiations over a new contract for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner continue to rumble on in the background as Koeman keeps his eyes firmly on Wednesday's game.
As their name suggests, Gimnastic will need to produce an impressive array of tricks if they are to condemn Barcelona - albeit a heavily altered and inexperienced one - to an opening pre-season defeat this week.
Taking part in the inaugural Primera Division RFEF, Gimnastic head into the 2021-22 campaign after topping their old Segunda Division B group last term, and they have been rewarded with league fixtures versus Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal's youth setups in the third tier.
Newly-appointed manager Raul Agne will relish the opportunity to pit his side's wits against a crop of Barcelona's youngsters this week before the league campaign commences, and this will be the first time that Gimnastic have taken to the field since being humbled 4-0 by Ibiza in May.
Gimnastic head into Wednesday's battle having succumbed to defeat in their last five competitive meetings with Barcelona - including a 10-1 humiliation back in 1949 - and Messi's brace alongside goals from Ronaldinho, Carles Puyol and Gianluca Zambrotta saw La Blaugrana win 5-1 when these sides last met in the 2006-07 La Liga season.
Team News
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Messi's Copa America exploits would have rendered him unavailable for this encounter even if he was registered as a Barcelona player, while the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are enjoying extended breaks following their own international exploits.
Pedri, meanwhile, has gone from representing Spain at Euro 2020 to helping his national side's quest for glory at the Tokyo Olympics.
Ousmane Dembele's knee injury sustained at Euro 2020 has ruled him out for at least four months, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are recuperating from their own long-term problems.
B Team players such as Yusuf Demir, Jordi Escobar and Nico Gonzalez have all been training with the senior squad and should earn some game time here, but the recently re-signed Kays Ruiz-Atil has tested positive for coronavirus.
Gimnastic have also been busy in the transfer market when it comes to free arrivals, with Pablo Fernandez, Robert Simon and Edgar Hernandez all coming in for a new-look attacking setup.
Former Villarreal and Blackpool left-back Joan Oriol is still going strong at 34, but Fran Miranda and Gerard Oliva have both moved on to pastures new.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Comas, Pique, Mingo; Dest, Pjanic, Puig, Gonzalez, Balde; Escobar, Demir
Gimnastic possible starting lineup:
Garcia; Albarran, Domingo, Trilles, Oriol; Buyla, Fullana; Simon, Del Campo, Carbia; Martin
We say: Barcelona 3-1 Gimnastic
A healthy blend of hopeful youngsters, experienced pros and out-of-favour fringe players will all be hoping to impress for Barcelona this week, and while the biggest news out of Catalonia may still be the happenings off the pitch rather than on it, Koeman's side ought to open pre-season with a comfortable success.
Ben Knapton
