USA Tour: Manchester United

Congrats to Manchester United for beating the Barcelona B Squad. One great goal by Thiago, 50 chances Villa coulda woulda shoulda scored, half our starting xi didn't even play, Nani walks talks acts like Ronaldo... 
Black kits look GREAT though!

A Friendly Tie

Today Barcelona played their first friendly of the 2011-12 season against Hajduk Split. The first half started with Victor Valdes, (D) Dalmau Armando Fontas Lobato, (M) Dos Santos Carmona Keita, Thiago, Villa and Afellay up front, but Pep switched up the entire line-up for the 2nd half. Iniesta was the man of the match setting up plays left and right but no one could follow through with a goal. Maybe his new BA haircut helped him.

I love looking at Victor during games but now it's almost impossible to stare at him with that awful green kit. I am not really digging the home kits either, sorry to say. It's not working for me.

I am also convinced that Barcelona can not function without Xavi, Iniesta, Messi or Pique on the field. They were slightly messy with the B squad today, they had no chemistry being mixed in with each other.

Photo via @barcastuff (whoever you are)

@andresiniesta8: "First pre-season game and we keep preparing... It's very nice to see so many B-team people with us!"

FC Barcelona 2011-12 Competitions

This season's competitions: Spanish Cup [Copa del Rey Winner - Real Madrid - and Liga winner - Barcelona: August 14/17], UEFA Super Cup [match between CL winner - Barcelona - and Europa League winner - FC Porto: May 19, 2012], Champions League, La Liga [August 20/21], Club World Cup [in Japan, December]

Favorite David Villa WC Quote

"I saw grown men crying like babies in the dressing room we all burst into tears. I was shocked to see tears from Xavi and Iniesta - players who have won everything in football - crying. I cried like a child." -David Villa on 2010 World Cup win for Spain

The Weakness of David Villa

2010 World Cup -- South Africa [Getty Images]

Who would of thought that the weakness of David Villa isn't his wife, chocolate or fancy cars but his Espana teammate, Cesc Fabregas. He, like the other Barca players, would welcome Cesc to the team with a warm heart and positive reinforcement. Gary Niblock at Goal.com wrote, "Last summer, in the aftermath of Spain's World Cup victory, Villa was quoted as saying that he would do everything in his power to attract Fabregas to Catalunya as he was a player who would improve the team."

Currently, Fabregas is "injured" with a hamstring injury (I fully believe he is injured despite what other Arsenal/Barcelona fans are thinking). ESPN says "Cesc promises to make amends" for missing the Asia tour with Arsenal.

...more to come about this never ending drama...

FC Barcelona 2011-2012 Schedule

August 14! We are just a little over a month away from the first league match. Here is the complete FC Barcelona schedule for the new season (summer friendlies included). Games may be adjusted a day or two, so be prepared, and some times haven't been announced yet.

Saturday, July 23 (20:30) Hajduk Split – FC Barcelona (Friendly)
Tuesday, July 26 (18:15) FC Barcelona – Internacional (Audi Cup)
Sunday, July 31 (01:00) FC Barcelona – Manchester United (Friendly)

Thursday, August 4 (02:00) FC Barcelona – Chivas (Friendly)
Saturday, August 6 (22:00) FC Barcelona – Club America (Friendly)
Sunday, August 14 (22:00): Real Madrid – FC Barcelona (Spanish Supercup)
Wednesday, August 17 (23:00): FC Barcelona – Real Madrid (Spanish Supercup)
Sunday, August 21: Málaga – FC Barcelona
Friday, August 26: FC Barcelona – FC Porto (European Supercup)
Sunday, August 28: La Liga: FC Barcelona – Villarreal

Sunday, September 11: Real Sociedad – FC Barcelona
Sunday, September 18: FC Barcelona – Osasuna
Wednesday, September 21: Valencia – FC Barcelona
Sunday, September 25: FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid

Sunday, October 2: Sporting de Gijón – FC Barcelona
Sunday, October 16: FC Barcelona – Racing
Sunday, October 23: FC Barcelona – Sevilla
Wednesday, October 26: Granada – FC Barcelona
Sunday, October 30: FC Barcelona – Mallorca

Sunday, November 6: Athletic de Bilbao – FC Barcelona
Sunday, November 20: FC Barcelona – Zaragoza
Sunday, November 27: Getafe – FC Barcelona

Sunday, December 4: FC Barcelona – Levante
Sunday, December 11: Real Madrid – FC Barcelona *CLASICO*
Sunday, December 18: FC Barcelona – Rayo Vallecano

2012

Sunday, January 8: Espanyol – FC Barcelona
Sunday, January 15: FC Barcelona – Real Betis
Sunday, January 22: FC Barcelona – Málaga
Sunday, January 29: Villarreal – FC Barcelona

Sunday, February 5: FC Barcelona – Real Sociedad
Sunday, February 12: Osasuna – FC Barcelona
Sunday, February 19: FC Barcelona – Valencia
Sunday, February 26: Atlético de Madrid – FC Barcelona

Sunday, March 4: FC Barcelona – Sporting de Gijón
Sunday, March 11: Racing – FC Barcelona
Sunday, March 18: Sevilla – FC Barcelona
Wednesday, March 21: FC Barcelona – Granada
Sunday, March 25: Mallorca – FC Barcelona

Sunday, April 1: FC Barcelona – Athletic de Bilbao
Sunday, April 8: Zaragoza – FC Barcelona
Wednesday, April 11: FC Barcelona – Getafe
Sunday, April 15: Levante – FC Barcelona
Sunday, April 22: FC Barcelona – Real Madrid *CLASICO*
Sunday, April 29: Rayo Vallecano – FC Barcelona

Sunday, May 6: FC Barcelona – Espanyol

Sunday, May 13: Real Betis – FC Barcelona

For complete schedule, check back at FC Barcelona's official website

For complete Spain league games, click here

*Schedule pulled from Barcelona's official website and @BarcaTheOffside's website.