The day after confirmation that the La Liga match in Miami will go ahead, Joan Laporta gave a positive assessment of the fixture that will see FC Barcelona face Villarreal on 20 December in Florida: “La Liga was very keen for this match to take place in Miami, and we’ll go and play wherever La Liga tells us to, as it’s the body that governs the competition,” he said.

 

He added: “The United States is a market we’ve been developing and consolidating. Our office has moved from New York to Miami, and this match will bring us closer to our fans and sponsors,” referring to the thousands of Barça supporters living in Florida who will have the chance to see the team live again, only this time in an official competition.

Johan Cruyff’s legacy

Laporta made these remarks during the Cruyff Foundation Open Day, held at the La Mar Bella Municipal Sports Complex in Barcelona. “It’s one of the most special days of the year,” he said, as it helps keep alive the memory and legacy of Johan Cruyff.

The Foundation, in collaboration with other organisations, works to expand sporting opportunities across the region for children with disabilities, helping to make sport more accessible and continuing what Cruyff himself started. The FC Barcelona Foundation has been collaborating with the Cruyff Foundation since 2004.

Team’s current form

Laporta also discussed the men’s first team, who are coming off two consecutive defeats against PSG and Sevilla. “It’s true that we didn’t get the results or the performances we wanted in the last two matches" he admitted to the media. But we’ve had a lot of key injuries, and I’m sure that during this international break bwill find the way to turn things around.”

In line with the messages expressed by the coach and Deco in recent days, he stressed that “we’re a very competitive team when we work hard,” and made it clear that the squad must “maintain the intensity expected of a team aiming to win every competition.”

 

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