Barcelona's pre-season preparations go up a notch

Ronald Koeman's Barcelona are set to play their pre-season third friendly on Saturday against a strong opponent in Stuttgart, after having faced Nastic de Tarragaona and Girona in their first two friendlies this summer.

In the clash against the German side, who finished ninth in the Bundesliga last season, Koeman will give game time to Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Martin Braithwaite, all of whom joined back up with their teammates earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann, who both came off the bench against Girona, are expected to start together up front.

Koeman could also give B team players Nico Gonzalez, Alejandro Balde and Yusuf Demir playing time, as the Dutchman has given opportunities to young players so far in the pre-season friendlies.

Following the game against Stuttgart, Barcelona will face Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on August 4, and after that duel the Catalans will return to Spain where they will continue their preparations ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Their last friendly will take place at the Camp Nou against Juventus in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 8, as Barcelona take on Real Sociedad on home soil in their LaLiga Santander opener, one which is set to take place a week after the match against the Old Lady.