Full Breakdown
Barcelona’s Double-Header in Udine: A Triangular Pre-Season Test
8/9/2026, 12:25:11 PM
Core Event – Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, August 8, 2026
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, FC Barcelona took part in the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy. The competition featured three 45-minute matches played consecutively: Udinese Calcio versus Nottingham Forest, Barcelona versus Nottingham Forest, and Udinese versus Barcelona. A win in regular time earned three points; a draw proceeded directly to a penalty shoot-out, with the shoot-out winner receiving two points and the loser one point.
Background & Context
The triangular format is a relic of pre-season football that was common in Italy during the 1990s and early 2000s, with clubs such as AC Milan, Inter and Juventus regularly competing in the “TIM Trophy.” Barcelona’s most recent participation in a similar event was 24 years earlier, when the club faced Parma and Ajax in a 2002 pre-season tournament. Prior to the Udine fixtures, Barcelona had only completed a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City, whereas Forest had already played five friendlies and Udinese four.
Timeline
- July 18, 2026 – Nottingham Forest’s first pre-season friendly.
- August 8, 2026 – Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup:
- 20:00 CEST – Udinese 1-0 Forest.
- 21:00 CEST – Barcelona 1-0 Forest.
- 22:00 CEST – Udinese 1-0 Barcelona.
Data & Statistics
- Results: Barcelona beat Forest 1-0 (Raphinha penalty) and lost to Udinese 1-0 (Vakoun Issouf Bayo). Udinese won the tournament with two 1-0 victories.
- Goal Scorers: Raphinha (Barcelona) and Bayo (Udinese).
- Points Earned: Barcelona finished second with three points (one win, one loss).
- Squad Rotation: Hansi Flick used 21 different players across the two matches; notable contributors included Xavi Espart, Karim Adeyemi, Hamza Abdelkarim and Ebrima Tunkara.
Why It Matters – Impact on Barcelona’s Preparation
The back-to-back 45-minute format forced Flick to manage two distinct line-ups in a single evening, offering a rapid assessment of squad depth and the integration of La Masia prospects. The matches contrasted Forest’s high-pressing approach with Udinese’s disciplined defensive shape, testing Barcelona’s ability to break down compact 3-4-3 formations. Young talents such as Adeyemi and Tunkara received meaningful minutes against senior opposition.
Official Statements & Responses
FC Barcelona’s official preview described the event as an “atypical evening of football” and outlined the points system, broadcast arrangements on Barça Play and YouTube, and the freedom given to Flick to select different starting XIs for each half. No formal comment on the results was issued by the club.
On-the-Ground Reports
Barcablaugranes reported that Barcelona began the Forest match strongly, creating several chances before Raphinha’s late penalty secured a 1-0 lead. Defensive lapses allowed Forest counter-attacks, and the report highlighted Brian Fariñas’ post-hit and Hamza’s missed rebound. In the Udinese showdown, Barcelona dominated possession but failed to convert, with Adeyemi forcing a save from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Udinese’s decisive moment came when Bayo headed the ball over Szczesny in the final minute.
What’s Next – Upcoming Fixtures
Following the Udine tournament, Barcelona is scheduled to face Basel in Switzerland the next weekend and will host Egyptian side Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy later this month. Udinese will turn to the Coppa Italia, playing Padova the following weekend. Nottingham Forest still has friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Brest before beginning their Premier League campaign.
