The FC Barcelona Players' Association men’s team has experienced an intense start in July. For five days, it has toured Poland, where he has combined sports activity with other social and institutional actions. The expedition was headed by the president of the Association, Juan Manuel Asensi, and vice presidents Rafael Zuviría and Esteban Vigo. The team played two friendly matches with high-level teams.

Team Polonia 2002

The first match took place in Krotoszyn, a small town in the south-west of the country, with a crowded stadium. The Association's team faced a selection of Polish legends that contested the 2002 World Cup. This team, which showed a high physical level and a splendid technical quality, made it difficult for Barça to play, who came out with a 3-4-1-2 in order to control the game. However, the locals were more forceful and took advantage of two well-trained actions to advance before the break.

In the resumption, the team introduced tactical changes (passing to a 4-3-3) that allowed to generate more danger in attack and, despite enjoying clear occasions, the scoreboard did not move. The match ended with a 2–0 home win.

With the Old Boys Lech Poznan

The second game was played in Bojanowo, a city of 2,800 inhabitants 50 kilometers west of Krotoszyn, which also received the Association's team with great enthusiasm and expectation. The rival would be the Old Boys Lech Pozna, one of the most important teams in the Polish league. The Association presented a brave and active 4-4-2, with which it dominated the first 35 minutes and advanced to the scoreboard. In the second part, however, the changes did not take hold and the team lost solidity, suffering pressure from the locals. In just three minutes, Lech Pozna turned the marker around. Fortunately, Barça reacted and drew thanks to a big shot from outside the area that did justice to the game seen on the grass.

Beyond the results, the trip has been a great opportunity to transport Barça’s values and share the essence of the Association. The expedition visited the Auschwitz concentration camp and went to the Przyladek Nadziei Oncology Hospital, where the players shared time with the resident children, gave them different gifts, signed t-shirts and took pictures with them.

The former players Jaume Llevaria, Samu Okunowo, Juanjo Carricondo, Eric Fernández, Francisco Moreno, Ernest Prats, Moha El Yaagoubi, Javi Delgado, Jordi Ferrón, Esteban Vigo, Andreu Jorba, Dani Martínez, Felix Palomares, Miguel Ramos, Sergi Martínez, Dimas Delgado, Alberto Manga, Raúl Hernández, Jonatan Medina and Jordi Rebollo entered the call. The staff was completed by Jordi Gonzalvo (coach), Juan A. Orenes (second coach), Paco Gómez (delegate), Ferran Parés (physiotherapist) and Pere López Compte (material). 

Força Barça