USA tour as much about global footprint as fitness — Real Madrid

He’s had a good pre-season. It also successfully defended its Champions League title to complete its first league- European Cup double since 1958. Their coach Zinedine Zidane said: “They’re a rival who will try to do it well and they’re playing at home”.

When asked whether his side exemplify the best there is in football, the manager said: “I do not know if we are the best in the world but I certainly have a fantastic squad”.

11 years on from joining Mallorca, Asensio is one of the most sought after players in the world.

“It can happen that a team changes 11 players between the first day [of the season] and September 1”.

Barca was showing signs of life and Messi saw an effort crash off the underside of the crossbar before Suarez went close with two headers – the second bouncing off the foot of the post after Navas had parried a fierce Messi drive.

“It was a spectacular experience and I hope to fulfil many more moments like this”.

“Barcelona” will take the place of player’s names on the back of the shirts, with the hashtag #TotsSomBarcelona (“We’re all Barcelona“) on the chest next to the club crest.

The Portuguese, who came on as a sub in the first leg, was sent off and then given a five-match ban for pushing the referee in the aftermath.

As Madrid has gotten stronger, its challengers have gotten weaker. Barcelona finished three points behind Real last season but there is concern the gap between Spain’s biggest two sides could be far larger this season as the Catalans look shaken to the bone by the departure of Neymar to Paris St Germain.

We have no idea, because the supply of talent from Barca’s academy has dried up and the club have not been recruiting top-class young players to compensate, so they will therefore be forced into costly forays into the transfer market. Athletes for all Barcelona teams across all sports and age divisions will wear a black armband in games this weekend. Not since Lionel Messi’s debut in football have I seen a player with such a lovely left foot.

The Barcelona club captain didn’t train on Tuesday and was left out of the 19-man squad that will attempt to turn around a 3-1 first-leg deficit against Real Madrid. We have to pull forward.

Prediction: Girona and Levante are joined by Las Palmas in relegation.

Villarreal could be a team to watch.

Speaking after the game, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said there are “no invincible teams” in sport and Barca’s dominance was bound to end eventually. This year we want to do it again. The club have done one promising piece of business, however, following the acquisition of centre-back Fabian Schar from Hoffenheim.