Overview
With a focus on the 2025-2026 campaign, coach Hansi Flick is certainly aware that he will face an un easy task. That is to maintain and promote the success that Barcelona achieved in their first season under his leadership.
The German tactician helped the Catalan giants win an impressive domestic treble, easily overcoming Real Madrid to win La Liga. At the same time, they also defeated this arch-rival in both the Copa del Rey final and the Spanish Super Cup.
In the Champions League arena, Barcelona also made a great step forward when they reached the semi-finals for the first time since the 2018-2019 season, before suffering a heavy defeat against Inter Milan.
Since the 2024-2025 season, the Blaugrana have had three notable additions. In goal, goalkeeper Joan Garcia moved from the same city of Espanyol.
Up front, Marcus Rashford arrived at Camp Nou on a season-long loan from Manchester United, while promising youngster Roony Bardghji was signed from Copenhagen.
All three new recruits were present and left their mark in the 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe in Japan. In which, Bardghji scored his first goal for Barcelona.
While Barcelona are actively preparing for the new season, FC Seoul will temporarily put the K League 1 campaign on hold to enter a friendly match with the reigning La Liga champions.
Under the leadership of coach Kim Gi-dong, the Korean capital team is currently fourth on the rankings with a record of 9 wins, 9 draws and 6 losses after 24 rounds.
Although 18 points behind leaders Jeonbuk Motors, a gap of only 3 points from Gimcheon's second place has helped Seoul set a clear target for the rest of the season.
The K League representative will enter the friendly match against Barca with a positive mentality after a series of impressive performances - winning 3 out of the last 4 matches.
Jesse Lingard - the current captain of Seoul - has scored 7 goals this season.
After their success away from home, Seoul will return to the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where they have won 2 of their last 3 matches.
The Korean team hopes to show a positive face when facing one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, before returning to the rotation of the K League next month.
Personnel situation
Seoul will have to assess the fitness of striker Patryk climatela, who is still doubtful to play after being absent in the last two matches against Jeju and Daejeon.
On the other side of the front line, Barcelona will not have the service of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He was forced to sit out for a while after undergoing surgery to treat a persistent back injury.
Expected lineup:
FC Seoul: Kang, Choi, Al Arab, Kim Ju-sung, Kim Jin-su, Oliveira, Jeong, Hwang, Silva, Lingard, Cho.
Barcelona: J. Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
The match between FC Seoul and Barcelona takes place at 6:00 p.m. on July 31 (Vietnam time).
