The Gamper closes the Barça party before the serious stuff

Xavi's strengthened team appears at the Camp Nou against Pumas with hope through the roof

MADRID, 6 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

FC Barcelona culminates the preseason this Sunday with the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy, its presentation at the Camp Nou, which this edition will be against the Mexican Pumas UNAM (20:00), after a set-up bathed in optimism and hope.

The culé fans will have one more course the first opportunity to see their team in a Gamper that, due to its rival, points to exhibition. In addition, Xavi Hernández's team arrives with strong morale and good game dynamics and results during the summer. They want to leave the memory of Messi behind, although the return of the '10', the institutional and sports crisis, seems to be on the agenda.

In the also usual tour of the United States, the Barça team added three victories, against Inter Miami (0-6), Real Madrid (0-1) and New York Red Bulls (0-2), and a draw against the Juventus (2-2). A bath of crowds through iconic cities such as Miami, Las Vegas and New York, without distracting from a promising potential.

"To the parrot, we are not so bad" was the already mythical phrase of Joan Laporta, in his first stage as president of Barça, in 2008, shortly before the start of the glorious era with Pep Guardiola. Now, the top Barça leader has changed the pessimistic outlook of just weeks ago with the famous levers, money for transfers and significant pressure to achieve results, titles, income.

This is what Xavi requested at the end of last season, a blank season with a considerable downturn in play that even jeopardized finishing the League in the top four and playing in the next Champions League. The Terrassa coach, who came to the bench in November, demanded signings to make a competitive team but the economy was far from ideal.

Through the sale of various assets, Barça has acquired serious names such as Lewandowski, Raphinha, Kounde, Christensen and Kessié. The landscape has changed radically, both in attack and defense. Above, Xavi now has the former Bayern Polish forward and the Brazilian from Leeds, plus Dembélé, Ansu Fati, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay.

In defense, Koundé and Christensen raise the quality of a lot that has been neglected in recent times, to accompany Araújo, Piqué and Eric García while waiting for possible reinforcements on the wings. Laporta has not yet considered the squad closed while the party is being prepared at the Camp Nou, a Gamper where Barça usually performs in front of fans eager to see their idols again.

The culé trophy also recovers its splendor after last year it was played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, even due to the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, and in 2020 it was held directly without an audience, although at the Camp Nou. The Mexican Pumas should not be a rival for Barça, but they bring another ingredient for a special night, with the presence of Dani Alves in their ranks.

The Brazilian winger signed for the American team two weeks ago, after concluding his second stage as a culé. Although he did not finish completely happy, Alves, a fan and grateful Barça player, will have the farewell and encouragement from the stands that he would have wanted.

The Mexican team is led by Andrés Lillini and will seek a historic milestone for his club and his country, as he already achieved in 2004 when he beat Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu Trophy. Barça will want a party that closes the already festive atmosphere that the club is experiencing, although the serious thing begins in a week against Rayo.