Bernal and Xavi Espart convince Flick and are the best
According to Mundodeportivo.
Why this matters
Barcelona's victory in the Joan Gamper Trophy is a positive sign for the team, especially considering the absence of many key players due to the 2026 World Cup. The performance of youngsters like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart not only highlights the depth of the squad, but also the club's ability to integrate youth talent into its strategy, which is crucial for the team's future in La Liga.
Main conclusions
- Bernal and Xavi Espart convince Flick and are the best.
- Barça's pre-season ends with victory in the Joan Gamper Trophy over Al-Ahly (2-1).
- Bernal and Xavi Espart, Flick's big students and minute leaders.
Barcelona ended their preparations with a 2-1 victory over Al-Ahly, in the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy, and put an end to an unusual pre-season. The 2026 edition of the World Cup, played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, dispersed a large portion of the Blaugrana internationals, forcing coach Hansi Flick to redesign the work plan and invest more in the young players in the squad.
In this context, Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart were the names that stood out most for their regularity: excluding the first test behind closed doors against CE Europa, they were the players with the most minutes added in the summer's friendly matches. Flick tried to share the load of use throughout the group, but the academy duo ended up benefiting from the window opened by the international diaspora, taking the opportunity to consolidate competitive rhythm and gain space in the German coach's options.
The victory against the Egyptian team served as a final rehearsal before the official start of the season, leaving positive indications regarding the collective dynamics and commitment of the youngsters. Throughout the preparation, Flick maintained the philosophy of giving opportunities to those who responded best in training and in games, a need heightened by the compressed calendar in World Cup year. Without most of the main references available for long periods, the dressing room hierarchy was, to a certain extent, redefined this month, with the academy offering immediate answers.
Bernal and Espart were, therefore, faces of a pre-season marked by internal competitiveness and a focus on home talent. Their volume of minutes reflects the trust they gained with the technical team and the importance of being able to adapt to different game scenarios during friendlies. For Barcelona, who needed to arrive at Joan Gamper with firm signs of growth, the consistent use of this duo helps to expand the squad's solutions and could prove crucial when the calendar tightens.
The closed-door rehearsal with CE Europa opened the series of preparatory meetings, but was left out of the statistical accounts that highlight Bernal and Espart as minutes leaders. In the remaining commitments, and until the final test with Al-Ahly, Flick reinforced the idea of a group under construction, looking for automatisms, balance between sectors and, above all, rhythm of competition after a summer conditioned by the great celebration of national team football.
With the pre-season concluded and a triumph at Gamper boosting confidence, Hansi Flick's Barça enters the new season with several positive notes: a clear competitive base, young people asking for passage and the certainty that the careful management of minutes in the year of the World Cup has left the team more prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
What happens next
With the pre-season concluded, Barcelona's focus now turns to the start of the new La Liga season. The confidence gained from this victory and the performance of the young players could be decisive for the start of the league, where the club hopes to compete strongly for titles, even with the restructuring of its internal hierarchy.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Barcelona and Al-Ahly?
Barcelona beat Al-Ahly 2-1.
How does the victory over Al-Ahly impact the La Liga table?
The victory serves as a final rehearsal before the official start of the season, but does not impact the La Liga table, as it was a preparation game.
Who were the most used players in Barcelona's pre-season?
Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart were the most used players in Barcelona's pre-season.
When is Barcelona's next La Liga game?
Barcelona's next game in La Liga has not yet been mentioned in the article.
What was the context of Barcelona's pre-season?
Barcelona's pre-season was marked by the absence of much
international events due to the 2026 World Cup, allowing young people like Bernal and Espart to have more minutes on the field.