FC Barcelona vs AS Monaco Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | Joan Gamper Trophy 2024 final

Hansi Flick eyes ending the pre-season campaign on a strong note.

FC Barcelona narrowly missed out on the LaLiga title last season, finishing as runners-up. Since then, the Catalan giants have undergone significant changes, including the appointment of Hansi Flick as the new head coach, succeeding Xavi. Flick has made an impressive start at the helm, with Barcelona winning their pre-season opener against Manchester City in a penalty shootout.

They followed this up with a historic victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in a pre-season El Clasico, showcasing the team’s potential under Flick’s guidance. However, Barcelona faced a setback in their most recent match. Against AC Milan, they lost 4-3 on penalties despite a stellar performance from Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice.

As they prepare for their final pre-season fixture in the Joan Gamper Trophy against AS Monaco, Barcelona will be eager to bounce back from their defeat to Milan. Playing in Barcelona, they will look to capitalize on their home advantage and build momentum ahead of the regular season.

AS Monaco, like Barcelona, also came close to clinching their domestic league title last season, finishing second in Ligue 1. Their pre-season campaign has been a mix of draws and victories. They started with back-to-back draws against Cercle Brugge and SK Sturm Graz, which highlighted some areas for improvement.

Monaco then found their rhythm, securing a convincing 3-1 win over Feyenoord and continuing their winning form against Club NXT. However, their momentum was interrupted by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Genoa in their last match. Now, Monaco faces a formidable challenge as they take on FC Barcelona. The Monegasque side will be determined to deliver a strong performance and secure a morale-boosting victory against one of Europe’s elite clubs.

The Joan Gamper Trophy match is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical discipline. Barcelona, playing in front of their home crowd, may seem to have the upper hand, but Monaco’s resilience and determination make them a team that cannot be underestimated. Fans can look forward to an entertaining encounter as these two sides battle it out for the prestigious pre-season trophy.

Kick-Off:

Monday, 12 August 2024 at 11:30 PM IST

Location: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain

Form:

FC Barcelona (in all competitions): L-W-W-W-W

AS Monaco (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-D

Culer festival to open the season at 𝐉𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 💙❤️

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2024

Players to watch:

Pau Victor (FC Barcelona)

The 22-year-old Spanish talent, Pau Víctor, hailing from Sant Cugat del Valles, is quickly making a name for himself at FC Barcelona. Joining the Catalan giants less than two weeks ago, Victor has already proven his worth, most notably in a pre-season El Clásico against Real Madrid. In just 65 minutes on the pitch, the six-foot-tall winger took six shots and netted two crucial goals, leading Barcelona to a memorable victory over their arch-rivals.

His immediate impact has positioned him as one of the most promising young talents in the squad. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Víctor is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming season, with the manager keen to harness the potential of this exciting new signing. His outstanding performances in the pre-season have set high expectations for what he can achieve in a Barcelona shirt.

Denis Zakaria (AS Monaco)

Denis Zakaria, a 27-year-old Swiss defensive midfielder from Geneva, has carved out a solid reputation in European football. Starting his career with Servette, where he made 19 appearances across senior and junior levels, Zakaria’s potential was evident early on. His next move took him to Young Boys, before a significant stint with Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2017.

There he spent nearly five years and made over 125 appearances, scoring 11 goals. In 2022, Zakaria joined Juventus, albeit briefly, before being loaned to Chelsea for the remainder of the 2023 Premier League season. A year ago, he signed a five-year contract with AS Monaco, where he continues to develop his game.

Zakaria is known for his pace, strength and athleticism, drawing comparisons to legendary midfielders like Patrick Vieira and Paul Pogba. Despite his many strengths, he also holds an unfortunate record – the fastest own goal in European Championship history, scored in the eighth minute of Switzerland’s quarter-final match against Spain in UEFA Euro 2020. Nevertheless, his aggressive playing style and impressive physical attributes make him a key asset for Monaco, as they look to challenge for honours both domestically and in Europe.

Match facts:

• Both teams lost their previous match.
• Barcelona won four of their last five fixtures.
• Barcelona have failed to register a single clean sheet in their last four matches.

FC Barcelona vs AS Monaco: Betting Tips and Odds

• Tip 1: FC Barcelona to win on penalties.
• Tip 2: Pau Víctor to score or assist.
• Tip 3: Both teams to score.

Injury and team news:

Barcelona have a long list of absentees that includes Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo.

Adi Hütter, on the other hand, will have the luxury to pick his best combination of players from a fully fit and available side.

Head to head:

Total matches: 2

FC Barcelona won: 2

AS Monaco won: 0

Match drawn: 0

Predicted lineup:

FC Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Ter Stegen (GK); Valle, Dominguez, Lenglet, Martin; Casado, Christensen; Víctor, Gündogan, Rapinha; Lewandowski

AS Monaco predicted lineup (3-4-1-2):

Kohn (GK); Singo, Kehrer, Salisu; Vanderson, Zakaria, Camara, Ouattara; Minamino; Embolo, Balogun

Match prediction for FC Barcelona vs AS Monaco:

Both teams have fared well in the pre-season campaign so far. We are expecting a neck-and-neck affair between both sides to end in a draw in full-time. We expect Barcelona to get the better of Monaco in penalties.

Predictions: FC Barcelona 2-2 AS Monaco (Barcelona to win 4-2 on penalties).

Telecast for FC Barcelona vs AS Monaco:

Spain: Barca One, 3Cat, TV3

Andorra: TV3

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