29.07.2011 18:59
Seeking repeat of Wembley success
Jesús Carrillo
Two months after the Champions League Final at Wembley, the same two teams meet again. The Red Devils would like to make amends for losing in May while Barça will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in preseason games.
The FedEx Field in the capital of the United States (01.00 CET) will be the venue for one of the
most attractive games in world football today. It’s a repeat of last season European final.
Barça starting and United ending
Barça face Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in their first game on American soil
after playing away to Hajduk Split, and then facing Internacional Porto Alegre and Bayern Munich in
the second edition of the Audi Cup. But for Manchester United, this game marks the end of their
tour of the USA.
United have won all four of their games against New England Revolution (Foxborough), Seattle
Sounders, Chicago Fire and an MLS All Star team in Houston.
Xavi, possible return
The main attraction in the FCB team is the possibility of Xavi Hernández appearing
for the first time in the preseason. He has been sidelined through injury ever since missing the
end-of-season friendly internationals for Spain and has been taking things carefully over the last
few weeks.
Xavi may well be back against the Premier League champions in Washington. Apart from the
players that travelled to the Copa America, only Xavi and Puyol have yet to play, but it looks like
being a few more days before the latter is back on the field.