Man City 'to meet Barca in a charity game three weeks into new season'

Man City and Barcelona ‘are set to meet in a midweek charity match at the Nou Camp three weeks into the new Premier League season’… so how long until Pep Guardiola complains about having to play ANOTHER game amid jam-packed schedule?

  • Barcelona and Man City will reportedly play in a charity friendly on August 24
  • The match will take place three weeks into the new Premier League campaign
  • It is in honour of ex-Barcelona goalkeeper and assistant Juan Carlos Unzue
  • The 55-year-old was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2020
  • The two European giants plan to play against each other to raise funds for ALS
  • Man City will play Newcastle four days before and Crystal Palace four days later 

Manchester City will reportedly play Barcelona in a midweek charity friendly this summer, three weeks after the start of the new Premier League season.

The match, which is planned to take place at the Nou Camp on August 24, is designed to raise funds and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

It will pay homage to former Barcelona goalkeeper and assistant Juan Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2020 and reportedly holds close connections with Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain at Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to face his old club Barcelona in a charity match on August 24

Juan Carlos Unzue (left) was an assistant of Luis Enrique’s (right) during his spell at Barcelona

According to The Athletic, the charity event was initially supposed to occur last summer, but fans would not have been able to attend the match due to Spain’s Covid-19 protocols.

Waiting an extra year has allowed for an additional storyline – Guardiola will now share the touchline with ex-colleague and new Barcelona boss Xavi.

The former midfielder played an instrumental role during Guardiola’s inaugural treble-winning campaign at the Nou Camp in 2008-09.  

New head coach Xavi was a key player for Guardiola during his time as Barcelona manager 

Champions Manchester City prepare for another heavy fixture schedule ahead of next season

Romantic reunions and worthy causes aside, the charity match could cause complications for the Premier League champions ahead of yet another demanding schedule next season.

After an away trip to Newcastle on August 20, Man City would then jet off to face the Spanish giants four days later before travelling back to the Etihad to host Crystal Palace the following weekend. 

Guardiola, who has been a regular campaigner against fixture congestion in recent seasons, must now add another match to the already jam-packed schedule.

Man City’s first midweek Champions League fixture will sit between Aston Villa and Tottenham on September 6-7.

Man City opening fixtures 2022-23 

07/08/2022 16:30 West Ham United (a)

13/08/2022 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth (h)

20/08/2022 15:00 Newcastle United (a)

*24/08/2022 – Barcelona planned charity match (a) 

27/08/2022 15:00 Crystal Palace (h)

31/08/2022 20:00 Nottingham Forest (h)

03/09/2022 15:00 Aston Villa (a)

*06/08/2022 or 07/08/2022 – Champions League Matchweek 1 

10/09/2022 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur (h)

 


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