Sunday, 12 August 2018 10:00 PM BARCELONA TIME Stade Ibn-Batouta Tanger, Morocco Capacity: 45,000 extendable to 65,000 Previous Meetings SCdR 22-04-2018 FT Sevilla 0 : 5 Barcelona SLL 01-04-2018 FT Sevilla 2 : 2 Barcelona SLL 05-11-2017 FT Barcelona 2 : 1 Sevilla SLL 06-04-2017 FT Barcelona 3 : 0 Sevilla SLL 07-11-2016 FT Sevilla 1 : 2 Barcelona SSdE 18-08-2016 FT Barcelona 3 : 0 Sevilla VISCAELBARCA
Would like to see the full B team start except with Messi, Pique and Roberto since they came back to training early (plus we don't want to totally gift the game to Sevilla). It's a good way to assess B teamers like Arthur, Munir, Malcom, Miranda, Lenglet. Etc. without it really mattering if we lose. The competition faced so far this preseason was pathetic so we didn't learn much (especially since Barca still lost most games)
Good speculation about the starters in Super Copa: https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/ernesto-valverdes-xi-for-the-spanish-super-cup-6980673 TL/DR something like this is predicted by Sport: Jasper Cillessen Semedo-Pique-Lenglet-Alba Arthur-Busquets-Coutinho Messi-Suarez-????Malcolm/Dembele???(or Coutinho if Raki starts in mid)
I read that today we practiced with this 11 as potential starters which I like: Cillessen Semedo-Pique-Lenglet-Alba Arthur-Busquets-Rafinha Messi-Munir-Dembele I mean it is not quite our grand once but pretty close, and sends great message to Rafinha and Munir about their value, both of whom I'd like to see stay (though I agree with the club, if Munir wants to stay he has to extend his contract which expires next summer). I also read that Coutinho got good news on his EU (Portuguese) passport front, which would allow all of Arturo, Malcolm, and Arthur to be registered as our 3 non-EU players in Liga and Super Copa (still need to find homes for Marlon - Newcastle rumored, and Mina - Everton in lead but Man U and Lyon also in running).
Arthur missed 2nd session of practice today due to fever, hopefully it is short lived as I cannot wait to see him combine more with Messi (there is a nice video on the season thread, it also showed a great Munir backheel assist after a give and go with Arthur).
Coutinho now could play the Supercopa game on sunday. his Portuguese passport has arrived. and therefore the non-EU players Arthur, Arturo Vidal and Malcom can also play. [md] No word on Arthur's fever. I'm guessing it was just a Wednesday 2nd session thing, I think that they had a day off Thursday. Today the new captains were announced and it is all La Masia with Roberto beating out Alba and MAtS for the 4th spot, Pique is also captain for the first time (recall that Iniesta and Mascherano were both captains last season with Messi and Busquets): Messi in finals: 29 appearances 28 goals 14 assists. Messi vs Sevilla: 33 appearancess 31 goals 14 assists.
Barcelona XI v Sevilla: Ter Stegen Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Rafinha, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suárez, Dembélé Barça subs: Cillessen, Rakitic, Coutinho, Munir, Vidal, Umtiti and Miranda
why the ******** is umtiti , coutinho and rakitic on the bench !?!?!? great Valverde right off the bat trying different shit without any reason whatsoever , no matter what people say this is still considered as a trophy and he should've played with the players who are used to playing with each other , a couple of friendlies doesn't magically make those new players click with the rest , at least start trying them in La liga or Copa jeez this isn't 2 leg super cup just one ffs ...
1-1 HT Messi bossing the game, creates about 5 big chances and when nobody can finish, creates empty net for Pique.
Lenglet who had the ball pass through his feet in the first goal alongside rafinha and arthur were soo bad , Valverde have no excuse to play them instead of umtiti,coutinho and rakitic , really wished we brought another coach because with this idiot we will probably go out in the round of 16 of the CL ...
What's the reason for playing Rafinha? Increased value? Suarez is rusty as can be...looks like a fat dead fish in a small muddy pool.