Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Where and How to Watch
Football fans are in for a treat as Barcelona face AC Milan in a thrilling preseason friendly match. Set to take place at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, this game forms part of Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. Central Time, 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time, and 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time). The event will be broadcasted live on ESPN Deportes and TUDN, while live streaming will be available on ESPN+ and Fubo. An interesting detail for those looking to catch the game at no cost: Fubo is offering a free trial for new subscribers.
Barcelona's Preseason Journey: Wins and Challenges
Barcelona's pre-season tour in the United States has been nothing short of exciting. The team has already clinched impressive victories against Manchester City in Orlando and Real Madrid in New York. However, the journey has not been without its challenges. Key players like Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati are sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, Oriol Romeu has left the camp to finalize his move to Girona. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona has remained strong under the management of Hansi Flick, with the return of Ilkay Gundogan to bolster their midfield.
AC Milan's Formidable Preseason Form
Not to be outdone, AC Milan has also shown their prowess during the U.S. tour, securing formidable wins over both Manchester City and Real Madrid. Managed by Paulo Fonseca, the team has displayed resilience even with several key players unavailable. Euro 2024 stars Tijjani Reijnders, Mike Maignan, and Theo Hernandez are recovering in Italy, while midfielder Ismael Bennacer is training individually in the USA. Despite these absences, AC Milan’s lineup remains strong, with Portuguese winger Rafael Leao expected to make a return.
Predicted Lineups
With both teams missing some of their star players, the coaches are expected to field a mix of veterans and young talents looking to make an impression. For Barcelona, the starting lineup could feature:
- Ter Stegen (GK)
- Fort
- Christensen
- Martinez
- Balde
- Casado
- Gundogan
- Victor
- Torre
- Raphinha
- Lewandowski
Meanwhile, AC Milan might start with:
- Torriani (GK)
- Calabria
- Tomori
- Thiaw
- Jimenez
- Loftus-Cheek
- Pobega
- Musah
- Chukwueze
- Jovic
- Leao
Injuries and Absences
The preseason has been a test of resilience for both clubs, with numerous players ruled out due to injuries or other reasons. Barcelona's list of absentees includes Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati. On the other side, AC Milan is missing Tijjani Reijnders, Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, and Ismael Bennacer. However, the return of Gundogan for Barcelona and Leao for AC Milan brings a much-needed boost to the squads.
Match Expectations and Predictions
Despite the setbacks with key players missing, the match is expected to be a high-octane affair. Young players from both teams are likely to seize the opportunity to showcase their skills on such a prominent stage, potentially making a case for regular starts in the upcoming season. The predicted outcome is a high-scoring draw, indicative of both teams' attacking prowess and the experimental nature of preseason formations.
Conclusion
The battle between Barcelona and AC Milan promises an exciting display of football, bringing together future stars and seasoned professionals. Fans eager to watch the match can tune in via ESPN Deportes and TUDN or stream it live on ESPN+ and Fubo. With both teams aiming to end their U.S. tours on a high note, this is one preseason matchup you won't want to miss.
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