Possible lineups and curiosities of the FC Barcelona-Monaco del Gamper 2024

FC Barcelona will launch its 2024/25 sports project this Monday, August 12, with the 59th edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy. Starting at 8:00 p.m., the team led by Hansi Flick will face the French team at the Lluys Companys Olympic Stadium, a field that receives, for the second consecutive year, the traditional summer trophy due to the works at the Spotify Camp Nou.

For Barça, it will be the official presentation of a team that promises important changes in the coming weeks, waiting for the 'ok' from LaLiga so that the club can sign under the 1/1 rule. With three weeks remaining in the summer market, the squad is far from finalized, but the German coach already has a clear idea of ​​the players and the base scheme he will use in the first half of 2024/25. Next, we review the possible elevens for Gamper 2024.

Probable lineups for FC Barcelona-AS Monaco for the 2024 Joan Gamper Trophy

• XI of the FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Christensen, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde; Casadó, Gündogan, Dani Elm; Raphinha, Pau Víctor and Lewandowski.
• XI of the AS Monaco: Majecki; Singo, Maripán, Zakaria; Vanderson, Lemaréchal, Diop, Jakops; Minamino, Embolo and Balogun

Ter Stegen

The German celebrates a decade at the club and does so as captain and undisputed leader of the team. After a 2023/24 season where he missed a good part of the first round due to an injury, the '1' returns this season looking to turn the page on another disappointing summer with his national team, but with the firm objective of maintaining the level shown in the last two years.

Koundé-Christensen-Iñigo-Balde

Hansi Flick still has many doubts to resolve regarding the culé defense. For now, Koundé and Balde will begin the season as starters on the wings, waiting for the arrival of some reinforcement in the final stretch of the market. The injury to Ronald Araújo and the presence of Pau Cubarsí in the Olympic Games leads the German coach to bet on the Christensen-Iñigo Martínez duo, although the Basque is still unclear about its continuity and the Dane aims more to establish himself as a pivot.

Casadó-Gündogan-Olmo

Marc Casadó took advantage of the American tour to gain the trust of the Heidelberg player and, as long as the club does not sign another pivot, he aims as the first alternative to accompany Ílkay Gündogan in the midfield until Frenkie de Jong returns. For his part, Dani Olmo is ready to make his debut this Monday, although he has not played since the Euro Cup final. The excitement generated by the first reinforcement of the summer leads Flick to give him minutes at Gamper.

Pau Víctor-Raphinha-Lewandowski

Another who made the most of the preseason in the United States was Pau Víctor. The forward of the reserve team has earned a place based on goals and good performances, his double in the Clásico against Real Madrid being consecrating. Raphinha and Lewandowski complete an XI that will have Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres ready to add their first minutes of the summer in the complement.

Curiosities of the Joan Gamper Trophy 2024

For Barça, the duel against Monaco represents the possibility of extending the string of successes at the Gamper to 12. In addition, it is a very special party, coinciding with the celebration prior to the club's 125th anniversary. The culés last lost the summer trophy in 2012 against Sampdoria (1-0). From there, Santos (Brazil), León (Mexico), Roma, Sampdoria, Champecoense (Brazil), Boca Jrs. (Argentina), Arsenal, Elche, Juventus, Pumas UNAM (Mexico) and Tottenham have fallen to the Barça power. In 2023, the Spurs fell 4-2.

For Monaco, this will be their first experience at the Gamper. The last time Barça faced a French team in the tournament was in 1991, when the Catalans beat Olympique Marseille in the final (3-0). At that time, the trophy had three guests, a format that was maintained until 1996. Since 1997, a single match has been played, with a penalty shootout in case of a tie.

In direct confrontation, the team from the Principality of Monaco has only faced Barça twice. The teams met in the 1993/94 group stage, with Barça victories in France (0-1) and Catalunya (2-0). Johan Cruyff's men reached the final of the tournament, falling to Milan in Athens (4-0). Monaco, for its part, advanced to the semi-finals, losing to the Rossoneri team (3-0). In 23/24, Adolf Hütter's team finished second with 67 points, nine behind PSG (76).