Barcelona are set to face Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Monday, and all eyes will be on Dani Olmo as he prepares to make his debut for the Catalan giants.
The Spanish international recently completed a high-profile move from RB Leipzig and has quickly integrated into the team, having trained with his new teammates on Saturday.
The Joan Gamper Trophy, traditionally held just before the start of the new La Liga season, offers Barcelona fans a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming campaign. For Olmo, it’s the perfect stage to make a strong first impression in front of the home crowd at Camp Nou. His debut is highly anticipated, as the versatile attacker is expected to bring creativity, flair, and a cutting edge to Barcelona’s forward line.
Olmo to Feature in an Exciting Front Three
Dani Olmo is likely to feature in the final third alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, forming a dynamic attacking trio. Lewandowski, the Polish goal machine, has been a vital part of Barcelona’s attack since his arrival, while Raphinha has consistently provided width and pace on the flanks. Olmo’s ability to operate as an attacking midfielder or winger adds another dimension to Barcelona’s offense, and his link-up play with Lewandowski could be crucial.
Having starred in the Bundesliga and on the international stage with Spain, Olmo arrives at Barcelona with high expectations. His creative vision and technical prowess make him a perfect fit for Barcelona’s style of play, and fans will be eager to see how quickly he can adapt to his new surroundings.
Midfield Shuffle: Gundogan and Christensen to Start
With a number of key midfielders unavailable due to injuries, including Gavi, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong, head coach Hansi Flick is expected to make some adjustments in the middle of the park. Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City earlier in the summer, is set to start in midfield. Gundogan’s experience and ability to control the tempo of the game will be vital, especially with a relatively inexperienced partner in Marc Casado, who is likely to be given a chance to impress in this fixture.
Andreas Christensen, who has shown his versatility by operating in both defense and midfield, is also expected to start. The Danish international has been a reliable presence since his arrival at Barcelona, and his composure on the ball will be important in maintaining possession against Monaco.
Defensive Options: Kounde and Martinez in Line for Starts
Hansi Flick is expected to make changes to the defense from the side that started against AC Milan in their previous outing. Jules Kounde, who has been a regular in the backline, is likely to start, possibly alongside new signing Inigo Martinez. Martinez’s experience and leadership qualities could be invaluable as he looks to establish himself in the Barcelona defense.
Alejandro Balde, who has recently returned from a long-term hamstring injury, is fit again and could be given the nod at left-back. Balde’s pace and attacking intent make him a key asset, especially in a match where Barcelona will look to dominate possession and push forward.
Youthful Presence on the Bench
While Barcelona will field a strong starting XI, there will also be a youthful presence on the bench. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, fresh from their Euro 2024 triumph with Spain, are now available for selection. Both players are expected to be introduced in the second half, providing fresh legs and attacking impetus as the game progresses.
Yamal, one of Barcelona’s most exciting young prospects, has already shown glimpses of his potential in previous pre-season outings. His pace, dribbling ability, and fearlessness in taking on defenders make him a thrilling player to watch. Torres, on the other hand, offers versatility across the front line and will be keen to stake his claim for a regular starting spot.
Barcelona’s Probable Starting XI
Given the available squad, Barcelona’s possible starting lineup for the Joan Gamper Trophy against Monaco could be as follows:
Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, I. Martinez, Lenglet, Balde; Casado, Gundogan, Christensen; Olmo, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
This lineup blends experience with the excitement of new signings and youth, providing a well-balanced team capable of putting on a strong performance. As the final pre-season match before the new La Liga campaign, this game against Monaco offers Barcelona the opportunity to fine-tune their tactics, build chemistry, and give fans a taste of what’s to come in the season ahead.
