The FC Barcelona will have its first meeting of the 2024/25 season with its fans, as is customary in the last days of the preseason, with the renowned Joan Gamper Trophy at stake. This traditional encounter has been taking place since 1966 at the home of the blue and garnet, with the aim of honoring the memory of the club's founder and presenting the new faces that the Catalan team has for this season, as well as to 'warm up engines' for the official start of a period full of expectations and challenges to meet.
However, on this occasion, there is a certain atmosphere of uncertainty about how the fans will receive their 'warriors' in this first encounter. While a festive atmosphere is expected, recent events surrounding Nico Williams and his potentially incomplete incorporation this summer could generate some disappointment among a sector of the Culé fanbase.
Will everything that has recently happened regarding the signing of Nico Williams weigh on the situation?
Why could there be this unease among the Barcelona fans about the situation of the left winger from Pamplona? It is not so much a complaint about the arrival of Dani Olmo, a 'top' addition that promises to enhance the squad's quality, but rather because the most anticipated acquisition by the Barcelona supporters seemed to be that of the '17' of 'La Roja', an exciting, game-changing player who shone in the Euro and who, alongside the local star Lamine Yamal, would form an extraordinary and exciting duo.
However, so far, the arrival of the forward does not seem to be on the right track, despite mentions that the youngest of the Williams brothers was eager to join the team this summer and had given his approval. The most recent gesture from Athletic in giving him the '10' shirt and his statement of wanting to "make history with it" do not paint the most encouraging picture before the Gamper match.
The reaction of the Barcelona fans could also be one of positivity
Now, the reaction of the Culé fanbase will also depend on whether they see the glass half empty due to Nico Williams' absence, or if they see it half full with signings like Dani Olmo, the Euro's top scorer, Pau Víctor, an exciting prospect, and the new coach, Hansi Flick, tasked with taking the squad to its fullest potential.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona responds, if they achieve a solid victory and 'impress' against AS Monaco, their opponent in the match to be held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Monday, August 12 at 8:00 p.m. A victory that could brighten a day that, initially, appears bittersweet for the fans who are still hoping that Nico will be the starting left winger in the upcoming season.