FC Barcelona’s US Tour: Players Left Behind

In the conclusion of their pre-season tour in the United States, FC Barcelona achieved a 1-0 victory against AC Milan, with Ansu Fati scoring the winning goal. During the match, Barcelona’s young talents were given a chance to shine alongside established stars who had previously been given opportunities throughout the pre-season.

Remarkably, three players didn’t get any playing time in the three games played against Arsenal, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. The three individuals were Pablo Gavi from La Masia, French defender Clement Lenglet, and newcomer Inigo Martinez. Each exclusion had its reasons, as reported by Spanish outlet SPORT.

Pablo Gavi, highly anticipated by fans, missed the tour due to back discomfort. He managed to join the squad for the AC Milan match but didn’t feature as a substitute.

Clement Lenglet had an injury at the start, but the main reason for his absence was the club’s intention to find a transfer for him, preventing any potential injuries before a possible departure.

Inigo Martinez is in recovery from a plantar fasciitis issue that required surgery. While improving physically, he was unable to participate in the tour.

Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen were also absent from the final pre-season game due to injuries suffered during the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid clash. Gundogan had an adductor injury, while Christensen experienced discomfort in his Achilles tendon. However, both players are expected to be available for the upcoming Joan Gamper match against Tottenham Hotspur on August 8th.