Tomorrow evening is the first game of Tito Vilanova’s career as Barcelona manager, as the Blaugrana start their pre-season schedule with a trip to Germany to face Bundesliga side Hamburg. Compared to previous years, the club have selected their pre-season opponents intelligently, with money-spinning tours to the USA and Asia a thing of the past. Instead Barca will be staying closer to home, and arguably facing tougher opposition, almost certainly with the Supercopa in mind.
Hamburg finished in 15th place in the Bundesliga last season and responded by making changes a plenty to their playing staff. Forwards Jose Paulo Guerrero and Mladen Petric left the club for Corinthians and Fulham respectively, while midfielder (and captain) David Jarolim was released. However, prolific striker Artjoms Rudnevs was signed as a replacement from Lech Poznan for around €3.5 million and Rene Adler was signed on a free from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen after his contract expired at the end of last season. Hamburg have also already started their pre-season fixtures, and just yesterday they won the fifth biennial Peace Cup in South Korea with a 1-0 victory over Seongnam Illhwa Chunma. With so many key players still away on holiday, this match is certain to be a huge test.
