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Lewandowski in, Rashford on bench

Lewandowski in, Rashford on bench

Barcelona continue their Asia tour by facing K League 1 side FC Seoul in a pre-season friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday.

A potential capacity of almost 67,000 fans were hoping to see superstar names in action for the reigning Spanish champions, including the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Seoul have made a number of new signings during recent weeks, partly as an attempt to make their attack “a little sharper and more incisive”.

101GreatGoals.com brings you the team news and line-ups from Barcelona vs FC Seoul, as well as details on how to watch the action live wherever you are.

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Barcelona lineup vs FC Seoul

Eric Garcia, who scored Barca’s first goal of pre-season in their 3-1 win at Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Sunday, is on the bench this time, having returned to full training after spending one session working individually because of a muscle problem since that match.

Ronald Araujo starts at the back as captain, while Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde – who says he is close to signing a contract extension until 2030 – also come in.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia starts again and forward Marcus Rashford could come off the bench, as he did against Kobe following his loan move from Manchester United.

Lamine Yamal retains his place and is arguably the player locals will want to see most. “He’s an exceptional talent,” Flick said after arriving. “He is unbelievable and can decide matches.

“Of course he will play. We all want to give our best and play to our highest level here in South Korea, in Seoul.”

Marc ter Stegen has had more surgery on lower back problems and Marc Bernal is awaiting the all-clear in the midfielder’s recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Barcelona starting XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.

Barcelona substitutes: Pena, Szczesny, Kochen, Inigo Martinez, Gavi, Ferran, Rashford, Christensen, Fermon, Casado, Bardghji, Eric Garcia, Jofre, Dro, Fernandez, Guille Fernandez, Fort, Gerard Martin

Seoul lineup vs Barcelona

Former England forward Jesse Lingard is Seoul’s best-known player in Europe, contributing 13 goals and six assists in 51 games since signing in February 2024 in a move regarded by many as the most high-profile signing ever made by a Korean club.

Rashford and Lingard are both Manchester United academy products and have played 152 games together for the club and England, winning the 2015/16 FA Cup and 2016/17 EFL Cup and Europa League, as well as helping the Three Lions reach the 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-finals.

Jeong Tae-wook is among their new additions, on loan from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The centre-back captained South Korea to the quarter-finals at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Anderson Oliveira has joined from Suwon after being named in the 2024 K League 1 Best XI.

The Brazilian played on the right wing on his debut on July 20, when lone striker Lingard scored the only goal of the game from distance before the break against 2025 Club World Cup also-rans Ulsan.

“He is quiet and possesses a sense of [presence],” manager Kim Gi-dong said of Anderson, via Chosun. “He does not joke around and diligently does his job.

“I believe that, regardless of the position, right-winger will be more comfortable for him in my system.”

Lingard scored the winner in their last match, converting a penalty in a 1-0 victory at Daejeon Hana on Sunday as part of a run of three goals and two assists in his last five starts in all competitions.

FC Seoul starting XI: Kang Hyeonmu; Park Sooil; Yazan, Jeong Tae-wook, Kim Jinsu; Jeong Seungwon, Lee Seongmo; Jeong Seungwon, Anderson; Cho Youngwook, Lingard

Seoul substitutes: Duks, Lucas, Jung Hanmin, Kang Juhyeok, Park Janghangyeol, Hwang Doyun, Park Seonghoon, Kim Jeewon, Bae Hyunseo, Choi Jun, Lim Junsub, Choi Chulwon

Is Barcelona v FC Seoul on TV? Live stream, TV channel

Kick-off is at 12:00 BST / 07:00 ET / 04:00 PT on Thursday. Barcelona’s two remaining game of their Asian tour will be free to air on their YouTube channel.

What kit are Barcelona wearing? Kobe Bryant link explained

Barcelona are debuting their 2025/26 away kit, which is an official collaboration with late basketball icon Kobe Bryant’s brand.

The NBA superstar coined the term ‘Mamba Mentality’ to describe his personal philosophy, which he detailed in his autobiography of the same name.

Five years after the Los Angeles Lakers great passed away, this marks the first time a football club has teamed up with the brand.

Bryant’s three-pointed Mamba emblem takes the place of the standard Nike swoos and the jersey features a pale gold base accented with purple in homage to the colours worn by the Lakers shooting guard.

A subtle snakeskin jacquard pattern runs throughout the fabric, giving the kit a protective, armour-like effect.

Even the badge details have been given a distinctive treatment. Both the Barca crest and the Mamba symbol are applied using a textured silicone with the same snakeskin finish.

Black shorts and socks bearing the Mamba logo complete the kit.

Barcelona v Seoul stats

  • Barcelona have gone seven pre-season away friendlies unbeaten away from their home city over 90 minutes, since a 5-3 defeat to Arsenal in Inglewood on July 26, 2023.
  • Their last away defeat in Spain was on November 10 (1-0 at Real Sociedad), although they have lost their last two on the road in the Champions League, 4-3 at Inter Milan in the semi-finals on May 6 and 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on April 15.
  • Including friendlies, six of Barca’s last seven games away from Barcelona have featured more than two goals, and they have scored in the second half in each of the last six such games.
  • Rashford could become the first male English player to start a Barcelona game since Gary Lineker against Real Zaragoza on June 20, 1987.
  • Forty-three years after their formation, Seoul’s win over Daejeon Hana made them the third Korean club to win 500 games in the top division, following Ulsan (who now have 554 wins ) and Pohang (540).
  • Five of Seoul’s last seven games in all competitions contained fewer than three goals, although two contained five each.
  • Seoul have scored the third-fewest goals (27) in the K League 1 and conceded the second-fewest (23), with only leaders Jeonbuk bettering their defensive record.
  • Lingard has three goals and two assists in his last five starts in all competitions.
Brazil footballer Raphinha playing football for Barcelona

Barcelona pre season fixtures 2025/26

July 31: Seoul (A), 12:00 / 07:00 ET / 04:00 PT

August 4: Daegu (A), 12:00 BST / 07:00 ET / 04:00 PT

August 10: Como (Estadi Johan Cruyff), 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

When does Barcelona’s 2025/26 LaLiga season start?

Barca start their season at Mallorca, who finished 10th last season, on Saturday, August 16 at 16:30 BST.

They are expected to play at least their first three league games of the season away while work on their Camp Nou stadium is completed, meaning they will not play a home match until mid-September at the earliest.

The first instalment of El Classico in 2025/26 will be on Matchweek 10 in late October, when Barca travel to Real Madrid.




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