The preseason is rarely just a warm-up anymore—especially not when Barcelona is involved. As the Catalan giants roll into South Korea for their second match of the Asia tour, the energy is anything but casual. On Thursday, FC Seoul host the La Liga champions in a match that could be part spectacle, part experiment, and fully scrutinized by fans around the globe.
It’s more than just a friendly. Hansi Flick is sculpting his first full-season squad in Blaugrana colors. Coming off a solid 3–1 win over Vissel Kobe, Barcelona’s mix of fresh faces and familiar stars will be closely watched once again. Meanwhile, FC Seoul—fourth in K League 1 and surging have their eyes set on proving something too, especially with Jesse Lingard spearheading their attack.
Seoul’s Moment to Shine
There’s something to be said about confidence, and Seoul is riding a quiet wave of it.
They’ve won three of their last four matches, including a gritty 1–0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen just days ago. That’s not dominance, but it’s resilience—and it counts when you’re facing a club like Barcelona.
Jesse Lingard’s role can’t be overstated. The former Manchester United winger has clocked in seven goals and three assists in just 24 league appearances. His flair has been matched by the consistent threat of Anderson Oliveira and Lucas Rodrigues on the wings.
Against Barcelona, they won’t have much of the ball. But with a few sharp counters and disciplined defending, Seoul could at least ask some questions. And frankly, the home crowd will expect them to.
Flick’s Test Lab
You can’t win La Liga in preseason—but you can lose your footing.
Hansi Flick isn’t here to just shake hands and take photos. With no major signings expected before the transfer window shuts, this tour is where decisions are made. Who stays? Who gets sold? Who becomes part of the Flick blueprint?
Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araújo are all likely to start. So is Dani Olmo, who came off the bench against Vissel Kobe but will be itching to assert himself from the opening whistle.
Meanwhile, youth prospects like Roony Bardghji and Jofre Torrents could see significant second-half minutes. It’s their shot to impress the boss before the real stuff begins in August.
And then there’s Marcus Rashford. Still regaining fitness after his surprise switch to Spain, Rashford is expected to play more minutes this time around, though probably still off the bench.
Barcelona’s Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
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Goalkeeper: García
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Defenders: Koundé, Araújo, Martínez, Balde
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Midfielders: De Jong, Pedri
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Attacking Midfielders: Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha
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Striker: Lewandowski
No surprises there—except perhaps Lamine Yamal, who could finally make a statement in that iconic No.10 shirt.
New Numbers, New Stories
The shirt numbers tell their own tale this summer.
Yamal wearing No.10 is a statement. A teenage talent inheriting a number that once defined Ronaldinho, Messi, and peak Neymar. The pressure? Immense. But the fans want a new talisman, and Thursday could be Yamal’s first chapter in that story.
Marcus Rashford doesn’t have history in this squad yet. But give him space in the second half against a tired Seoul defense, and that could change quickly. He hasn’t scored for Barcelona yet—but that might just be a matter of minutes.
Predicted standouts?
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Yamal: First goal in the No.10 jersey
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Rashford: First goal in Blaugrana colors
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Lingard: Most likely to create FC Seoul’s big moment
Where and How to Watch
Whether you’re tuning in at dawn or catching replays at lunch, the match will be accessible globally—except in South Korea.
Broadcast Info:
| Country/Region | Channel |
|---|---|
| United States, Rest of World | Barcelona YouTube Channel |
| South Korea | (Not available via YouTube) |
Kick-off happens at 7 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. BST at the Seoul World Cup Stadium—a venue that seats nearly 70,000 and promises a raucous crowd.
One-Off, But Not Meaningless
FC Seoul have never faced Barcelona before. That stat might not mean much in the long run, but it adds a bit of novelty to the fixture.
A win for Seoul would be shocking—but even a spirited performance could boost morale for the rest of their domestic campaign. For Barcelona, a dominant display reaffirms preseason progress. Anything less, and the headlines write themselves.
From a footballing standpoint, it’s lopsided. But from an entertainment perspective, this one could be a firecracker.
