Barcelona’s summer preparations for the new football season continue under the leadership of German manager Hansi Flick, as the Spanish club prepares for an exceptional footballing experience that fans have not been used to for 24 years, by participating in a mini-triangular tournament in the Italian city of Udine.
Following the recent friendly match against Birmingham City—which ended in a 2–2 draw before being decided by penalty shootouts—the Spanish league champion is heading to play two consecutive matches on the same day against Italian side Udine and English side Nottingham Forest, with each match lasting just 45 minutes instead of two full halves.
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This format, known in football circles as a triangular tournament, is common in grassroots football and youth categories across Catalonia; however, it has become rare at high professional levels in recent years due to preparations shifting toward major commercial and marketing tours.
Barcelona’s last participation in a tournament with this structure dates back to the 2002/2003 season, when the team played matches against Italy’s Parma and Netherlands’ Ajax Amsterdam—a period that witnessed the brilliance of Argentine star Juan Román Riquelme and Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart under the management of Louis van Gaal.
Flick’s Philosophy in Summer Preparations Instead of Overseas Tours
The decision to enter this mini-tournament came based on the vision of manager Hansi Flick, who preferred organizing focused training camps within Europe, steering clear of grueling transcontinental tours—especially with many squad members occupied with participating in the summer World Cup.
The team had spent the majority of its preparatory camp at the “St. George’s Park” complex in England, where the coaching staff focused on raising physical fitness levels and tactical cohesion between young prospects and first-team stars to ensure full readiness for official competitions.
History of Barcelona’s Triangular Participations
Barcelona’s historical connection with triangular tournaments has roots extending back to the summer of 1947 in Mallorca, where the team experienced its first venture of this kind and secured victories over both Mallorca and Atlético Madrid. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the club participated in seven similar tournaments held in Madrid, Marbella, Tenerife, and Amsterdam.
Preparation Strategy: Current moves reflect the coaching staff’s intention to intensify high-tempo matches in order to monitor players’ reactions under continuous physical pressure within a short timeframe.
Final Test: This Italian stopover serves as the final technical test for manager Hansi Flick to put the finishing touches on the starting lineup before the start of official local and continental fixtures.
