Barcelona Sets Schedule for Training Camp in England

Barcelona is finalizing the preparations for the pre-season plan for the new season, which includes holding a training camp at the English Football Association's facilities at St. George's Park in Burton, north of Birmingham, according to what was published by the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo."

Coach Hans Flick will lead the camp from July 27 to August 3 or 4, with the absence of international players due to their commitments with their national teams. The coaching staff will use this period to play the first summer friendly matches.

Barcelona will play a match against Birmingham City on Friday, July 31, at St. Andrew's Stadium with a crowd in attendance, while they will play another match against either Watford or Stoke City behind closed doors at the facilities of the English Football Association, as confirmed by the Spanish newspaper.

The newspaper also indicated that the rest of the friendly matches are still being finalized, after the idea of playing a match in Nairobi against Liverpool was postponed due to the Ebola outbreak in nearby areas. Meanwhile, the possibility of facing a team in Rabat is still being studied, along with the potential for a match against River Plate in Buenos Aires.

The report added that there has been an offer to hold a friendly match in Peru since last year for a financial return ranging between seven and eight million euros, but it has not been finalized yet.

The same source also clarified that the Joan Gamper Cup is likely to be held on August 15th and 16th, following confirmation from La Liga that Barcelona will start their season on August 22nd or 23rd, with the first round postponed to August 25th or 26th to provide more rest for international players.