Barcelona in talks to add Basel friendly after Morocco fixture is called off

Barcelona are in advanced negotiations to play Basel in Switzerland on Sunday, 16 August, as Hansi Flick’s side reshapes its pre-season schedule following the cancellation of a planned match in Tangier, Morocco.

The proposed fixture would allow Barcelona to maintain the number of warm-up matches planned before the Spanish league season begins. The game is expected to take place at Basel’s stadium, with the Catalan club optimistic that an agreement can be completed in the coming hours.

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that discussions between the two clubs have progressed significantly. Barcelona are seeking to fill the gap left by the friendly that had been scheduled for 15 August against an unnamed opponent in Tangier.

The club announced on Thursday that the Morocco match had been cancelled because of the difficult circumstances that followed events in Ceuta.

In an official statement, Barcelona said that “the current uncertainty and circumstances” meant it was not appropriate for the match to go ahead. The wording referred to developments after large numbers of migrants arrived in the Spanish-administered city.

Barcelona subsequently began looking for an alternative fixture in consultation with head coach Flick and his coaching staff. The aim is to preserve the team’s preparation programme and ensure the squad reaches the start of the campaign in the best possible condition.

The club has already completed two friendly matches during pre-season and is continuing to build its schedule as the opening of the Spanish league approaches.

Barcelona’s next planned action comes on Saturday in a triangular tournament in Udine, Italy. The competition will involve Barcelona, Nottingham Forest and Udinese.

The team will then face Egyptian club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on 19 August. That match remains part of Barcelona’s preparations for the new season.

A meeting with Basel would therefore provide another opportunity for Flick to assess his squad before competitive football begins. It would also compensate for the loss of the Tangier fixture, which had been intended to form part of the club’s original preparations in the latter stages of the summer.

The negotiations with Basel are not yet officially complete, but there is confidence within Barcelona that the proposed match can be confirmed soon. If finalised, the fixture would take place one day after the cancelled Morocco game was originally due to be played.