Overview
- Barcelona called off the behind-closed-doors friendly at St George’s Park after Preston said it could not field enough senior players and proposed an under-21 side, an option Barca declined.
- The cancellation came late in the build-up to the scheduled morning match, so Barcelona held regular training and completed an intra-squad game instead.
- The intra-squad match produced encouraging fitness news as Ronald Araújo, Raphinha and Fermín López all took part without issues and look likely to be available for upcoming friendlies.
- Frenkie de Jong continued individual treatment for a knee problem and did not take part in full-team work during the England camp.
- Barcelona advanced their return to Spain to continue preparations for the triangular tournament in Udine on Aug. 8 and the Joan Gamper Trophy on Aug. 19, reducing their foreign friendlies from six to five.