FC Basel don kick off dia season with strong win, as dem beat Courtételle 1-6 for Swiss Cup first round. But all eye dey for big friendly match against FC Barcelona wey go happen today, Sunday, for Saint Jakob Park by 4:30pm.
Expectation high for Basel, because plenty Barcelona stars don land for dia city. Five players wey just win World Cup with Spain almost one month ago go play dia first match since that triumph. Dem be Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, and Joan Garcia. Plus other international big names like Raphinha Dias, Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jules Koundé dey make people craze.
Sunday morning, at least 200 fans gather outside Hotel Movenpick, hoping to see dia football idols. The weather hot, 27 degrees, but the reception na pure love. Basel coach Stephan Lichtsteiner, wey be former Swiss international, talk before the cup match say im want maximum intensity, even though im know say Barça dey come Sunday. Im players hear am well, as dem hammer Courtételle 1-6.
This friendly na penultimate test for Barça before LaLiga kick off next week for Martínez Valero against Elche. The final warm-up go be Wednesday for Spotify Camp Nou, where dem go face Egyptian side Al-Ahly for the 61st Joan Gamper Trophy. Coach Hansi Flick don call up some of im world champions, including Joan García, Cubarsí, Eric García, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, plus Anthony Gordon and Koundé.
Gordon, wey cut short im holiday to join team early, fit get im first minutes for blaugrana colours. With Lewandowski, Rashford, and Ferran absent from last season, Gordon likely go play as striker. Barça still dey search for a number nine, and right now only 18-year-old Hamza dey for that position. So Flick go experiment, maybe with Gordon, Adeyemi, or Dani Olmo as false nine.
However, Pedri and Gavi no travel with team. Pedri dey do special physical plan after World Cup, while Gavi dey rest as part of load management. Also, Casadó no join the trip, clear sign say im dey on way out. Flick don cut down youth players, but Pesquer, Espart, Cortés, and Tunkara still dey for squad.
Basel na historic club for Swiss football, dem don win league 21 times. Dem dey led by Xherdan Shaqiri, wey be 34 years old but still dey ball. The match go be good test for both sides, as Barça prepare for serious competition.
