| Barcelona vs Nottm | |
| MATCH | Club Friendlies |
| DATE | 09 - 08 - 2026 |
| TIME | 12.30 AM IST |
| STADIUM | Stadium |
Nottingham Forest vs Barcelona Match Preview
After a turbulent season that included four managerial changes, a battle against relegation and an unexpected run to the Europa League semi-finals, Nottingham Forest are hoping for a much more stable 2026-27 campaign.
The rebuild is now being led by Oliver Glasner, who has been appointed to restore consistency and bring greater structure to a side that spent much of last season fighting on multiple fronts.
Forest have shown encouraging signs during pre-season, recording victories over Notts County, Blackburn Rovers and Portimonense. However, those positives were offset by a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon, a result that highlighted the gap still to be closed before the Premier League season begins.
With four friendlies remaining, Glasner still has valuable time to refine his system ahead of Forest’s league opener away to Leeds United on August 22.
Barcelona also enter the new season with significant expectations. Hansi Flick’s side won La Liga comfortably last season, but with rivals strengthening in the transfer market, defending the title is unlikely to be straightforward.
The Catalan club have undergone notable changes in the squad, with Robert Lewandowski among the departures and new arrivals including Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.
Barcelona’s pre-season campaign only recently got underway, and their opening test ended in a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City before a defeat on penalties. Saturday’s meetings with Nottingham Forest and Udinese are expected to provide a much stronger indication of where the Spanish champions stand physically and tactically.
Both teams are still in the process of building rhythm and cohesion, but Barcelona will be viewed as favourites, while Forest will see this as an excellent opportunity to measure themselves against elite opposition.
Team News
Nottingham Forest are expected to be without at least three first-team players as they continue to manage injury issues.
Murillo remains sidelined with a thigh problem sustained during the closing weeks of last season.
Nicolo Savona is still working his way back to full fitness and is unlikely to feature.
There is more positive news regarding Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose recovery from a muscle injury is progressing well, and he is expected to be available for the start of the Premier League campaign.
Barcelona have a major absentee in midfield.
Frenkie de Jong is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a ligament tear early in pre-season, with the injury expected to keep him out for around four months.
Marc Casado remains linked with a possible departure, but Barcelona’s current shortage of midfield options could give him another opportunity to impress during pre-season.
With both squads still short of full strength, this friendly is likely to feature a mixture of established starters and younger players competing for places ahead of the new season.
