Barça set off tomorrow (Thursday) to play three matches in Asia. Fans in Europe find it hard to appreciate these tours as it does not seem like the best preparation for the new season, however it gives the players some time together and helps the new players to get to know their new team mates, and it is also a great chance for fans in distant lands to see what Football Club Barcelona means. The expedition will leave Barcelona at 12.55 tomorrow and they arrive in Beijing on Friday morning, 05.55 local time. The first game  Beijing Guoan FC - FC Barcelona will be played at the Beijing Feng Tai Stadium on Sunday 5 August. Kick off is at 18.00 (12.00 in Spain). On Monday 6, Barça fly to Tokio where the big match will be Yokohama Marinos-FC Barcelona on Tuesday 7 August. Kick off 19.00 (12.00 in Spain). On Wednesday 8 Barça fly to Hong Kong where they will play a selected team calling themselves Mission Hills Invitation XI on Friday 10 August. Kick off 20.00 (14.00 in Spain). Immediately after the game the they will fly back to Barcelona where they are expected to arrive at 08.00 on Saturday 11 August.

The squad is made up of 24 players. Bojan Krkic will be missing due to his call-up for the Spanish under-17 squad for the coming World Cup in Korea. Also missing will be Puyol, Gudjohnsen and Edmilson, injured, and Messi Marquez and Milito who have another week of holiday having played the Copa America.

The full squad for the trip is: Valdés, Jorquera, Oier, Belletti, Sylvinho, Zambrotta, Abidal, Valiente, Oleguer, Thuram, Olmo, Xavi, Touré Yaya, Iniesta, Motta, Deco, Crosas, Dimas, Giovani, Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Henry, Maxi, Ezquerro.