11
Raphinha y Araújo lideran el asalto al Triangular de Udine
Barcelona’s Preseason Adventure: A Unique Triangular Tournament in Udine
What’s Happening? The Big Picture
Imagine a soccer team getting ready for a big school year. Before the real tests (official matches) begin, they need practice exams. FC Barcelona is doing exactly that—but with a twist! After training at their home base and a special camp in England, they’re heading to Udine, Italy for a rare triangular tournament against Udinese and Nottingham Forest.
IMPORTANT POINT
This isn’t a normal tournament! It’s a triangular format—three teams playing two matches of only 45 minutes each. Barcelona hasn’t done this in summer for 24 years!
The Journey So Far: From Barcelona to England to Italy
1. Home Base Training
- Started preseason at Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper (Barcelona’s training facility)
2. English Training Camp
- Moved to St George’s Park in England (England’s national football center)
- Key youngsters shined: Karim Adeyemi and Hamza Abdelkarim (who scored two goals!)
3. Next Stop: Udine, Italy
- Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup triangular tournament
- Opponents: Udinese (Italian team) and Nottingham Forest (English team)
- Format: Two 45-minute matches per team
Who to Watch: The Star Players Returning
Raphinha & Ronald Araújo
- Both trained with the team in England
- Positive feelings from training sessions
- Likely to play minutes in Italy
- Why it matters: Both had injury-plagued summers
- Araújo couldn’t even play in the World Cup
- Coach Flick wants them to regain match rhythm slowly
Possible Debut: Jesse Bisiwu
- Belgian winger, new signing
- Went straight to England after signing
- Trained with Barcelona for the first time yesterday
- Could wear the blaugrana shirt in a preseason game!
Coach Flick’s Plan: Rotation & Transition
Playing Time Strategy
- Everyone gets minutes — fair rotation for all traveling players
- Fewer academy kids than in England
- Recent graduates moved up: Gistau, Diarra, Álex González now training with Barcelona Atlètic (reserve team)
History Lesson: Barcelona’s Triangular Past
The Last Time (2001) — 24 Years Ago!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Tribute to goalkeeper Urruti |
| Invited Teams | Espanyol & Real Sociedad (Urruti’s former clubs) |
| Format | Three matches of 30 minutes each |
| Result | Barcelona won! Drew vs Real Sociedad, beat Espanyol 1-0 |
Other Historical Notes
- 2002: Last "two-match" tournament (Amsterdam Quadrangular)
- 1990–2000: Barcelona played SEVEN triangulars in cities like Oviedo, Marbella, Tenerife, Salamanca, Florence, Amsterdam, and Barcelona
- All were preseason tournaments
Know Your Rivals: Past Battles
vs Udinese
- Champions League 2005/06 Group Stage
- Barcelona 4–1 at Camp Nou
- Udinese 2–0 in Italy
vs Nottingham Forest
- European Super Cup 1979/80
- Forest won 1–0 in England
- 1–1 draw in Barcelona
- Forest lifted the trophy
- Joan Gamper Trophy 1983
- Barcelona 2–0 winners
Summary: Why This Matters
- Unique Format: Rare triangular tournament (two 45-min games) — first in 24 years!
- Player Comebacks: Raphinha & Araújo returning from injuries, building match fitness
- New Face Alert: Jesse Bisiwu might debut in Barcelona colors
- Smart Coaching: Flick balancing rotation while promoting youth to reserve team
- Historical Echoes: Facing old European rivals with memorable past clashes
- Final Prep: Last tune-up before the real season starts
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What exactly is a "triangular tournament"?
A mini-tournament with three teams where each plays two short matches (45 minutes here) instead of 90. It’s like a round-robin but condensed for preseason fitness.
Why only 45-minute matches?
Preseason games are often shortened to manage player workload, test tactics quickly, and reduce injury risk before the real season.
Who is Jesse Bisiwu?
A young Belgian winger Barcelona recently signed. He joined the team in England and trained with the first team for the first time—this could be his unofficial debut!
Why haven’t Barcelona done this in 24 years?
Triangulars fell out of fashion. Clubs prefer standard 90-minute friendlies or bigger commercial tours. This is a nostalgic, practical throwback.
What’s the "Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup"?
The official name of this specific tournament, named after the Italian region where Udine is located.
Enjoy the unique football festival in Udine — a blend of history, experimentation, and preseason excitement!
