Recreativo Huelva vs. Barcelona: Time, Live Stream, Colombino Trophy Preview
Luis Enrique will take his first steps as Barcelona manager on Saturday, taking his new side to face Recreativo Huelva as he seeks to get things off to a winning start with La Blaugrana.
The preseason trip to Andalusia is likely to see a host of the squad's younger players receive their chance in the first team, but it nevertheless holds some importance as the first matchup of their Colombino Trophy campaign.
This year's tournament is especially significant to Recreativo as they celebrate their 125th anniversary, not to mention the 50th anniversary of the Colombino Trophy, with viewing details and preview of the opening encounter detailed ahead.
Date:ย Saturday, 19 July
Time:ย 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET
Live Stream:ย Atresplayer (ESP)
Key Players to Watch
Recreativo Huelva:ย Victor Diaz
After missing out on a playoff place by the slightest of margins last season, Liga Adelante outfit Recreativo have tried their best to recruit talent capable of pushing them onto the next level this summer, Victor Diaz being one such acquisition.
While star winger Jonathan Valle made the jump to Lugo earlier this summer, right-back Diaz moved in the opposite direction and will look to take onย Barca's ample assets out wide.
Enrique is bound to try out a number of wide options against his second-tier opponents, and Diaz will have a difficult time in restraining the likes of Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan, both of whom can add a lot of experience to their left flank.
Barcelona:ย Alen Halilovic
One of the most exciting prospects who could develop at the Camp Nou this coming season is Alen Halilovic, the former Dinamo Zagreb prodigy who could get his first real experience in Barca colours on Saturday.
Bleacher Report's Barcelona writer Jason Pettigrove added some insight into what the teenager is capable of:
There's no guarantee as of yet that the young Croatian will feature as part of Enrique's starting line-up, but the Recreativo Huelva midfield ranks would be wise not to underestimate one so talented, despite his lack of age and physical presence.
Halilovic has long been tipped for great things, and now that his long-foretold move to one of Europe's giant suitors has occurred, the journey may all begin with a flash at Nou Colombino.
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