FC Barcelona aims to revive its European presence in the 2023-2024 campaign, chasing a return to the top tier of continental football. The club’s ambitions extend beyond reclaiming domestic trophies like the Liga title and the Super Cup; a strong run in Europe remains the overarching goal after recent early exits in the Champions League group stages. Forward momentum this season is framed by a blend of familiar strengths and new additions, all focused on restoring Barca’s status among Europe’s elite.
FC Barcelona 2023 pre-season: when it starts, friendlies, transfers, staff, travel and places of concentration
Pre-season FC Barcelona 2023: when does it start?
Preparations for the 2023-2024 season began on Monday, July 10, 2023, with players undergoing medical assessments before resuming training at the Sant Joan Despí training complex. The squad then set off for a high-visibility stretch in the United States, a move designed to sharpen readiness and broaden the club’s profile across the Atlantic.
Pre-season of FC Barcelona: trips and places of concentration
The club continued its strategy of a West Coast focus for the 2023 US tour, mirroring last year’s approach while enhancing promotional activity in a region with growing fan engagement. Barça’s itinerary featured four fixtures against European opposition, underscoring the team’s intent to test itself against diverse styles. The first clash took place in California, as the Blaugrana faced Juventus in Santa Clara, part of the San Francisco Bay Area, on July 22. The next challenge arrived in Los Angeles on July 26, where Arsenal stood in the way. The tour then moved to Dallas, Texas, for a July 29 meeting with Real Madrid, a traditional rivalry match that helps define the team’s early-season competitiveness. The West Coast tour concluded in Las Vegas with a match against AC Milan on August 1. The emphasis on Western venues highlighted a strategic plan to energize the fanbase in key markets and maximize international exposure for the club and its sponsors.
In contrast to 2022, the current schedule featured a concentration of activities and events in the western United States, aligning travel logistics with commercial objectives while keeping the football element front and center. The intent was to combine rigorous on-field preparation with opportunities for team-building, media engagement, and broader brand initiatives as Barcelona seeks renewed influence in North American markets.
Barcelona pre-season: friendlies
Pre-season Barcelona 2023: acquisitions and selection
The squad announcements ahead of the season highlighted two key additions: Ilkay Gündoğan and Iñigo Martínez. While these signings signaled a clear strategic direction, the club indicated that further recruitment could occur as the transfer window progressed, with attention on strengthening depth and versatility across positions. In parallel, the young Brazilian forward Vitor Roque was slated to join the squad in January, adding a long-term attacking option and youth-driven dynamism to the roster.
Goalkeepers: Ter Stegen and Inaki Peña.
Defenders: Araujo, Koundé, Eric García, Christensen, Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso and Balde.
Midfielders: Gundogan, Pedri, Gavi, De Jong, Kessié and Sergi Roberto
Attackers: Lewandowski, Raphinha, Dembele, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
Source: Goal