Barcelona’s pre-season preparations descended into further confusion on Thursday, adding to what has already been a chaotic summer for the club under new head coach Hansi Flick. The latest turmoil centers around their scheduled friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe, which was initially reported to have been suspended due to organizational issues involving the event’s promoter.
The announcement sparked immediate concern, raising fears that the club’s planned tour of Japan could be disrupted entirely. The uncertainty came just days after logistical and travel-related hiccups had already impacted the team’s early preparations, casting a shadow over Flick’s first full pre-season in charge.
However, shortly after the initial cancellation reports emerged, a new update from reputable journalist Gerard Romero appeared to ease tensions. According to Romero, the situation had been resolved: the team was now expected to travel later that afternoon, and the match against Vissel Kobe was indeed set to go ahead as planned. “Events have unfolded quickly, and the original plan is being maintained,” Romero reported, giving fans hope that the disruption was only temporary.
Yet, the confusion was far from over. Only moments after Romero’s reassuring update, fresh reports indicated that buses dispatched to the Ciutat Esportiva — Barcelona’s training facility — to collect the players and staff had inexplicably left without anyone on board. The bizarre turn of events only added to the sense of disorganization surrounding the club’s pre-season agenda.
This string of mishaps has raised questions about the club’s planning and management of overseas commitments, particularly at a time when Hansi Flick is trying to instill structure and focus into a squad seeking a fresh start. With high expectations on the German manager to guide Barcelona back to the top, such logistical setbacks could prove an unwelcome distraction.
As of now, the status of the match remains uncertain, with fans and media alike awaiting official confirmation from the club. One thing is clear: Barcelona’s road to the 2025-26 season has been anything but smooth so far.
