Barcelona Clash with Vissel Kobe: Star-Studded Friendly Showdown Preview and Bold Predictions
Barcelona's inaugural preseason friendly match will proceed as scheduled, facing Vissel Kobe as their initial summer adversaries on Sunday.
The match, which the organization announced in June, faced uncertainty just prior to Barcelona's departure to Japan. The La Liga title holders stated on Wednesday that Sunday's encounter would be canceled due to disagreements with event organizers, but the complications, reportedly financial in nature, were settled by Thursday, allowing the team to depart on Friday.
Hansi Flick's squad enters the summer period as La Liga victors, following an exceptionally triumphant campaign during the German manager's inaugural season in charge. Flick's Blaugrana will gradually return to competitive action in the Far East, with two additional exhibition matches scheduled in South Korea.
The organization maintains strong connections with Vissel Kobe, with Sunday's encounter marking their third friendly meeting since 2019. Following his departure from Barça in 2018, Andrés Iniesta concluded his final five playing years in Kobe.
The J1 League team is currently progressing through the 2025 campaign and presently leads the standings after 24 matches.
Here's all the essential information regarding Barcelona's initial summer exhibition match.
What Time Does Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona Kick-Off?
Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Vissel Kobe | Barcelona |
|---|---|
Okayama 1–2 Vissel Kobe - 7/20/25 | Athletic Club 0–3 Barcelona - 5/25/25 |
Vissel Kobe 2–1 Ventforet Kofu - 7/16/25 | Barcelona 2–3 Villarreal - 5/18/25 |
Vissel Kobe 4–0 Shonan Bellmare - 7/5/25 | Espanyol 0–2 Barcelona - 5/15/25 |
Vissel Kobe 1–0 Sanfrecce - 7/2/25 | Barcelona 4–3 Real Madrid - 5/11/25 |
Avispa Fukuoka 0–0 Vissel Kobe - 6/28/25 | Inter 4–3 Barcelona - 5/6/25 |
How to Watch Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona on TV
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo |
International | DAZN, Culers Premium |
Vissel Kobe Team News
This Vissel Kobe roster lacks Iniesta-caliber personalities, consisting predominantly of Japanese players.
Taisei Miyashiro serves as the team's top goalscorer this campaign, netting nine league goals, while Brazilian Erik has also delivered an impressive performance thus far. Miyashiro is expected to operate alongside striker Daiju Sasaki, who functions more as a playmaker than a finisher, while Erik should take position on the right wing.
Despite being engaged in a championship battle, the arrival of Barcelona should prompt them to field nearly their strongest possible starting eleven.
Vissel Kobe Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona
Vissel Kobe Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Maekawa; Sakai, Yamakawa, Thuler, Nagato; Ideguchi, Ogihara; Erik, Miyashiro, Hirose, Sasaki
Barcelona Team News
Flick has selected a 30-player traveling roster for the Far East tour, including the newest addition, Marcus Rashford. While questions persist regarding Barcelona's ability to register the loan signing for the 2025–26 La Liga season, the English forward will have opportunities to impress this summer, beginning on Sunday.
Additional new signings Roony Bardghji and goalkeeper Joan García have also traveled to Japan. Marc-André ter Stegen remains absent due to injury, while Oriol Romeu is pursuing a transfer to join Pau Víctor's departure from the club.
Predictably, numerous La Masia academy prospects are expected to participate in the tour. Jofre Torrents, Guille Fernández, Pedro Fernández and Toni Fernández deserve attention, along with Marc Bernal, who has returned from a lengthy knee injury.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Vissel Kobe
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Vissel Kobe (4-2-3-1): Garciá; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martínez, Torrents; Gavi, Casadó; Yamal, Fermín, Raphinha; Ferran
Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona Score Prediction
Barcelona delivered exceptional performances last season, and Flick's roster appears to have strengthened further at summer's start with García and Rashford's arrivals. However, expecting the Spanish champions to display their brilliant best in their opening preseason appearance would be unrealistic.
This represents a conditioning exercise for the visiting squad, with Flick planning to provide opportunities to youth players and extensively rotate his starting eleven throughout the contest. Vissel, conversely, maintains midseason fitness and is experiencing an outstanding 2025 campaign.
Their superior conditioning and match sharpness could influence proceedings, but Barcelona's exceptional talent should guarantee they commence their summer tour victoriously.