Headline: FC Barcelona Intensifies Training Ahead of New Season
FC Barcelona is ramping up preparations for the 2026/27 season during a crucial week. Following a commanding 5-2 victory against FC Basel, the team returned to training at the Ciutat Esportiva for its second session of the week, with a sharp focus on the upcoming Joan Gamper Trophy and the La Liga opener against Elche this Sunday.
Xavi Espart Returns to Training
In a notable development, Xavi Espart made his return to training after taking a rest day. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the young academy player was given Monday morning off by the manager, following a demanding pre-season and his participation in the U19 Euros with Spain. Espart impressed against Basel in midfield and resumed training with the first team.
Meanwhile, key players Pedri and Gavi continued their reintegration into collective training. Both midfielders took significant steps forward on Monday as they managed their respective adaptation and workload plans. Pedri has gradually returned to training since coming back from holiday, while Gavi is on a similar trajectory. Notably, both players did not play in the friendly against Basel.
The latest training session allowed head coach Flick to blend preparations for Wednesday’s Gamper Trophy match with the upcoming opening of La Liga against Elche. The final training sessions mark an important transition from pre-season training to competitive play.
The young talents who have largely been integrated with the first team over the summer also participated in training, including Alvaro Cortes, Brian Farinas, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Jordi Pesquer, Hamza Abdelkarim, and Eder Aller.
On Wednesday, Spotify Camp Nou will host the Gamper Trophy match against Egyptian side Al Ahly at 8 p.m. Prior to the match, the squad will practice at the Ciutat Esportiva at 9:30 a.m.
FC Barcelona are continuing to raise the intensity during the decisive week before the start of the 2026/27 season.
After the 5-2 win over FC Basel, the team returned to training at the Ciutat Esportiva for their second session of the week, with the focus already shifting toward the Joan Gamper Trophy and, above all, Sunday’s La Liga opener against Elche
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Xavi Espart back in training
The main change from Monday’s session was the return of Xavi Espart.
Indeed, according to Mundo Deportivo, the young academy player returned to training after enjoying a day off, as Flick’s squad continued fine-tuning preparations for the Gamper Trophy and the league opener at Elche.
Back in training after rest. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The La Masia graduate had been given Monday morning off by the manager following a demanding pre-season, which followed his involvement in the U19 Euros with Spain.
But, Espart, who impressed against Basel in midfield, returned to work with the group today and completed another training session alongside the first team.
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Meanwhile, key midfielders Pedri and Gavi also remained integrated into the collective training.
Both had taken another step forward on Monday following their respective adaptation and workload-management plans.
Pedri, who has gradually returned to training since coming back from holiday, continues to progress normally, while Gavi is following the same process. Neither featured in the friendly against Basel.
Pedri’s reintegration continued. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The session once again allowed Flick to combine preparations for Wednesday’s Gamper Trophy with Sunday’s opening La Liga fixture at Elche.
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The German coach is now entering the final training sessions before a week that will mark the transition from preseason to competitive football.
The young players who have spent much of the summer training with the first team were also involved.
Indeed, Alvaro Cortes, Brian Farinas, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Jordi Pesquer, Hamza Abdelkarim and Eder Aller continued to train in the first-team dynamics.
On Wednesday, Spotify Camp Nou will host the Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona Egyptian side Al Ahly at 8 p.m. Before that, the squad will train at the Ciutat Esportiva at 9:30 a.m.
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