FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.06.2009 10:57

Preseason travel plans

Jordi Clos

Before the 2009-10 season officially kicks off with the Spanish Super Cup, Barça will play five preseason matches in the UK and the USA. In total the players will make a round trip of 24,167 kilometres.

Compared to last year, Barça will visit only two countries instead of three but will actually travel further – 24,167 km instead of 19,000. This year the main difference is that the team will be going to the more distant west coast of America.

From 21st to 26th July: London

First stop for Barça will be London (1,146 kilometres) where the team will stay from 21st to 26th for their first training sessions and the Wembley Cup against Tottenham and Al-Ahly. The team will then fly back to Barcelona, another 1,146 kilometres.

Barcelona-Los Angeles: 9,660 kilometres

At this stage, the squad will be reinforced by the return of the internationals who took part in the Confederations Cup, plus Bojan. They’ll fly the 9,660 km that separate Barcelona from Los Angeles to begin their tour of the US west coast, kicking off with a match against LA Galaxy on 1st August. This will be the longest trip of the preseason.

Los Angeles-Seattle: 1,542 kilometres

Next stop on the US tour will be Seattle for the fourth friendly of the preseason against the Seattle Sounders on 5th August – another 1,542 kilometres.

Seattle-San Francisco: 1,097 kilometres

The second and final journey for the Barça party in the American continent will be from Seattle to San Francisco, where they will play their fifth friendly against Chivas Guadalajara. Yet another 1,097 kilometres.

San Francisco-Barcelona: 9,576

The players will then return to Barcelona, adding a further 9,576 kms to their summer travels.

Once back in Barcelona, the triple champions will begin their preparations for the first official encounter of the season – the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup – as well as the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Back home after a round trip of 24,167 kilometres.