26.07. (Tue) 18:15 Barcelona - Internacional

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona and Internacional last met in the final of the Club World Cup in 2006 and although the Catalans were big favourites, the Brazilian side came out on top.

Pep Guardiola's side set off to the United States on a tour after this competition, and will meet Manchester United in a repeat of the teams' Champions League final at the end of May.

This pre-season is Guardiola's fourth as coach of the Catalan club, but the Barca boss won't be handing a debut to new signing Alexis Sanchez, who will be given extra rest following the recent Copa America, along with Lionel Messi and Dani Alves.

Internacional midfielder Fabio Rochemback moved to Barcelona as a replacement for Guardiola in 2001.

Dunga, Alex, Branco and Claudio Taffarel are other notable stars to have played for the Porto Alegre-based side, whose closest rivals are Gremio, where Ronaldinho emerged.

Internacional have twice won the Copa Libertadores, in 2006 and 2010.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-3-3)
Pinto; Dalmau, Fontas, Abidal, Maxwell; Thiago, Busquets, Iniesta; Jeffren, Villa, Afellay

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is likely to name a stronger side for his team's second pre-season match on Tuesday against Internacional. The Barca coach selected a different XI in each half for the goalless draw versus Hajduk Split at the weekend and are set to be without Pedro, Xavi, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique once again.


Internacional (4-3-1-2)
Renan; Nei, Bolivar, Rodrigo, Kleber; Mario Bolatti, Pablo Guinazu, Andrezinho; Andres D'Alessandro; Ze Roberto, Leandro Damiao.

Internacional are likely to see this clash as a much more prestigious affair and should select a strong side for the game against Barcelona, including former Argentine international midfielder Andres D'Alessandro and Tottenham target Leandro Damiao.


Prediction

Barcelona were unable to score against Hajduk Split, but they should be more in tune for this match and will be keen to gain some revenge for their 2006 World Club Cup loss, even if the players are different. Expect a stronger side from Guardiola and a better performance. This should be reasonably comfortable for the Catalans, although Internacional will be in superior shape.

Barcelona 3-1 Internacional

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26.07. (Tue) 20:30 Bayern Munchen - Milan

DID YOU KNOW?

Bayern won the first and only prior Audi Cup in 2009, edging Manchester United in the final following a penalty shoot-out.

The Germans have spent an estimated €47 million on transfers this summer, bringing in the likes of Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, and Rafinha.

Jupp Heynckes' side have failed to win their last two pre-season friendlies during regular time, having lost to Hamburg before overcoming Mainz in penalties.

The Bavarians begin their competitive season on August 1 as they take on Eintracht Braunschweig in the DFB Pokal.

AC Milan won their first warm-up friendly of the pre-season against minnows Solbiatese, a 12-0 victory.

The Serie A winners have their first competitive match of the season just ten days after the Audi Cup final, the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter.

Owner Silvio Berlusconi has opted not to dip deep into his coffers this summer: Milan have only paid transfer fees this summer for Stephan El Shaarawy, Marco Amelia, and youngster Gianmario Comi. They also completed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's signing with a €24m payment to Barcelona.

Pato, Thiago Silva, Robinho, and Mario Yepes will meet up with the Milan squad in Munich following a short holiday. The South American quartet had until recently been on international duty at the Copa America.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Usami; Gomez

Bayern had a scare on Sunday when Franck Ribery collapsed during training after taking a blow to his ankle. He has been ruled out of the Audi Cup, and could also miss the Bundesliga kick-off. Otherwise, the hosts will be at full strength.

AC Milan:
Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Silva, Zambrotta; Flamini, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Massimiliano Allegri has a full squad available, but in all likelihood will only field a half-team, with the Italian Supercoppa on the horizon. He will nonetheless be keen to get a good run-out from his players, who have only had one test match thus far.

Prediction

If this match were played a few months into the season it might be different, but for now, the hosts are far more prepared. They haven't hit top gear, but the added practice of playing in many friendlies and training for longer gives them a distinct edge.

Bayern Munich 2-1 AC Milan

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