Barcelona v Roma pre-season friendly: Preview, betting odds and possible XI

Lionel Messi Neymar — Lionel Messi and Neymar have returned to training for Barcelona after featuring in the Copa America Reuters

Barcelona's final friendly before the start of the 2015/16 season sees them take on Serie A side Roma in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp on 5 August.

Overview

Spanish and European champions Barcelona have endured an underwhelming pre-season, which has seen them secure just one win in four matches. A penalty-shootout defeat to Chelsea in Washington was sandwiched by defeats to Manchester United and Fiorentina, with the solitary victory coming against MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy in the their first pre-season game on 21 July.

The Catalans have been quiet in the summer transfer window due to a transfer ban imposed by Fifa over the signings of underage players, with Turkish midfielder Arda Turan the only major arrival. Luis Enrique's side will hope to return to winning ways in the Joan Gamper Trophy, which is being held for the 50th time.

Roma's pre-season began with a penalty-shootout victory over Real Madrid in Melbourne, which was followed by a shootout defeat against Manchester City and a 2-0 reverse against Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

The Giallorossi will want to impress against former manager Enrique, who managed the Roman club in the 2011/12 season. Roma's talismanic captain Francesco Totti has spoken of his excitement at facing the five-time European champions, whom he last played in a Champions League match in 2002.

What managers say

Luis Enrique: "There are plenty of aspects of the game [against Fiorentina] that I liked. We lacked effectiveness in front of goal but we did create a host of chances. When an opponent gets the better of you in a game, normally they close off the space inside and force you wide. We worked that situation well and we were able to get into their box. We just needed to score."

Rudi Garcia: "Our opponents [Sporting Lisbon] were further ahead in their preparation, but there are no excuses. We could have done better."

Betting odds (888sport)