Barcelona are set to follow Tito Vilanova’s example of two years ago and miss out on a pre-season tour next summer.
Given 2014 is a World Cup year, La Blaugrana are understood to be leaning towards more friendlies in Europe to reduce travel time and avoid injuries to key players, with the current build-up of absentees thought to be behind their thinking.
According to Catalunya Radio, the plan would be to mimic Vilanova’s preparations before the start of the 2012-13 campaign when Barca only travelled around Europe, with games in places such as Paris and Hamburg.
As a result, the Catalans may only organise matches that will allow them to make a round trip the same day.