Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that a full-strength squad will travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in a charity friendly game on August 24.
In honour of former Barca player and coach Juan Carlos Unzue – who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) last year – Guardiola's side will play against the Catalan giants three weeks into the new Premier League season.
The fixture was due to take place last summer but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with both clubs hoping for a capacity crowd at Camp Nou this time around to raise more funds for ALS awareness.
Despite City's hectic fixture schedule at the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign, Guardiola has revealed that all of his first-team stars will travel to Catalonia.
"We're gonna bring all the big guns, don't worry," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference in Spain on Monday.
Guardiola was also questioned by reporters about the future of Bernardo Silva – who has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona this summer – while Barca president Joan Laporta also asked the City boss whether the playmaker will be part of their travelling squad.
The 51-year-old was amused by Laporta's quip and replied: "Bernardo [Silva] and 10 more (will be travelling)."
Guardiola added: "As of today, in my opinion, I think Bernardo Silva will continue with us next season. Our goal, as a club, is for him to stay with us. This is our intention, although I don't like to keep players that are unhappy".
Silva, who is valued at £80m by the Citizens, is believed to be one of Xavi's primary targets this summer, although a potential move to Camp Nou will likely hinge on whether Frenkie de Jong completes a move to Manchester United.
Oliver Thomas
