The summer of 2019 saw FC Barcelona embark on a pre-season tour that took them across the globe, preparing for the upcoming season with a mix of high-profile friendlies and intense training sessions. This period proved crucial in laying the groundwork for their campaign, allowing new signings to integrate and tactical approaches to be honed.

FC Barcelona players training in Japan

Building Towards Glory: The Importance of Pre-Season

While the thrill of competitive matches is undeniable, pre-season tours like FC Barcelona’s 2019 journey offer a unique opportunity. They are a melting pot where new signings gel with the existing squad, tactical nuances are experimented with, and fitness levels are pushed to the limit. The 2019 tour was particularly significant, as it saw the arrival of key players like Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann, who would go on to play pivotal roles in the seasons to come.

Destination Japan: A New Chapter Begins

The tour commenced in Japan, a nation known for its passionate football fans. This leg of the tour served as an early test of the squad’s chemistry and tactical understanding. Matches against local teams, while not as glamorous as the European clashes to come, provided valuable minutes on the pitch and allowed the coaching staff to assess the players’ progress in a competitive setting.

FC Barcelona facing off against Vissel Kobe

The American Challenge: Facing Familiar Foes

Following their time in Japan, Barcelona traveled to the United States, where they faced stiffer competition in the form of fellow European giants. These high-profile friendlies against teams like Napoli and Arsenal provided a more accurate gauge of the squad’s progress, exposing strengths to be capitalized on and weaknesses to be addressed before the start of the competitive season. The matches also served as a platform to showcase the club’s brand of attacking football to a global audience.

Tactical Tweaks and Emerging Partnerships

One of the key objectives of any pre-season is to refine tactical approaches and foster understanding between players. The 2019 tour was no different. Manager Ernesto Valverde used the friendlies to experiment with different formations and player combinations, seeking to maximize the team’s attacking potency while maintaining defensive solidity. The tour also witnessed the burgeoning partnership between Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, a duo that would go on to terrorize defenses in La Liga.

Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann celebrating together

Conclusion: A Foundation for Success

The FC Barcelona pre-season tour in 2019 may have lacked the silverware of a competitive campaign, but its significance cannot be overstated. It served as a crucial building block for the season ahead, allowing new signings to integrate, tactical approaches to be honed, and partnerships to flourish. While the ultimate success of a season hinges on countless factors, the hard work and strategic planning during the pre-season undoubtedly played a vital role in shaping FC Barcelona’s journey.