FC Barcelona returns to action as part of the 2025/26 pre-season tour through Asian territory. After a victory without major upsets against Vissel Kobe (1-3) in Japan, Hansi Flick's team will now have the mission of measuring forces in Seoul against FC Seoul, a team currently positioned in fourth place in the K League 1, the local Korean football league.
FC Seoul vs Barça: an unprecedented duel at the Seoul World Cup Stadium
This match, which will take place this Thursday from 13:00 h (Spanish time) at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, will be the first time in history that they have faced each other with those currently led from the technical direction by Kim Gi-Dong. In turn, the great attraction of the Korean team is the English striker Jesse Lingard, their main offensive argument so far this season, adding seven goals in 25 matches.
However, the former Manchester United player is not the only resource at the goal-scoring level that the capital team has. Also noteworthy are their wingers: the Korean Seon-min Moon, with five goals in 26 matches, and the Brazilian Lucas Silva, with four goals in 24 matches.
FC Seoul arrives with confidence after their last victory in the local league
Currently, FC Seoul has been chaining positive results. In their last five matches —four for the K League 1 and one for the Korean FA Cup— they have a record of three wins and two losses. In their most recent match, prior to this encounter against the Azulgranas, they won 0-1 against Daejeon Citizen thanks to a single goal by Jesse Lingard, via penalty.
FC Seoul's last five matches
- 🟢 Daejeon Citizen 0-1 FC Seoul | 07/27 | K League 1 matchday 24
- 🔴 Jeju United 3-2 FC Seoul | 07/23 | K League 1 matchday 23
- 🟢 FC Seoul 1-0 Ulsan Hyundai | 07/20 | K League 1 matchday 22
- 🔴 FC Seoul 0-1 Jeonbuk | 07/02 | Korean FA Cup quarter-finals
- 🟢 FC Seoul 4-1 Pohang Steelers | 06/29 | K League 1 matchday 21
Barcelona's balance in their pre-season: solid debut against Vissel Kobe
On the part of the Culés, there is only one precedent in this start of the pre-season: the 1-3 victory against Vissel Kobe. In that match, Barcelona won convincingly thanks to goals from Eric García, Roony Bardghji and Pedro Fernández 'Dro'.
It was a useful match to present new additions —who arrived stepping strong— and to show the intentions of giving opportunities to everyone. Hansi Flick distributed minutes to almost all the available players, revolutionizing his eleven in the second half.
FC Barcelona's last five matches
- 🟢 Vissel Kobe 1-3 FC Barcelona | 07/27 | pre-season friendly
- 🟢 Athletic Club 0-3 FC Barcelona | 05/25 | LaLiga EA Sports matchday 38
- 🔴 FC Barcelona 2-3 Villarreal CF | 05/18 | LaLiga EA Sports matchday 37
- 🟢 RCD Espanyol 0-2 FC Barcelona | 05/15 | LaLiga EA Sports matchday 36
- 🟢 FC Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid | 05/11 | LaLiga EA Sports matchday 35
Only one absence in the Culé first team: who?
Regarding absences, the Culé team arrives practically immaculate. At one point it was thought that Eric García could be an absence for this match, since in the first training session carried out in Seoul he worked differently due to an overload in his left leg.
- 📋 Squad list: Barcelona's squad list for the match: SEE
However, in the second session —held this Wednesday— the player from Martorell worked normally, as did the rest of his teammates. So, as far as the squad list is concerned, probably the only absence —as happened against Vissel Kobe— will be that of Marc Bernal, who, despite having been seen training, continues to recover with great caution.
- 📌POSSIBLE FC BARCELONA LINEUP: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde; Pedri González, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha.
On the other side, Kim Gi-Dong's team arrives with a total of two absences in the defensive line: the defenders Tae-wook Jeong and Sang-min Lee. So, in general terms, they will receive Barcelona with all their arsenal, ready to face them.
- 📌 POSSIBLE FC SEOUL LINEUP (4-4-2): Kang; Choi, Alarab, Kim, Kim; Anderson Oliveira, Jeong, Hwang, Lucas Silva; Wook and Jesse Lingard.
The Culés will debut their kit in this match against FC Seoul
As a colorful detail, Barcelona will debut in this match its new shirt in collaboration with the brand and the basketball legend Kobe Bryant. An elastic with a very attractive design, which the club announced in recent days. Will the Azulgrana team manage to maintain its good streak in Asia or will FC Seoul surprise at home?
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