Introduction
Barcelona is in Japan for their first preseason friendly on Sunday, 27th July 2025, vs. J1 League winners Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium in Kobe. The friendly was previously cancelled as a result of a breach of contract by the Yasuda Group promoter; however, Rakuten, the owner of Vissel, intervened and reportedly paid €5 million to have the fixture reinstated. With new signings like Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia set to appear, this fixture will set the stage for Barça's ambitious 2025–26 season under new manager Hansi Flick.
Match Overview
Date & Venue
Date: Sunday, 27th July 2025
Kickoff: 10:00 AM UTC (7:00 PM JST)
Venue: Noevir Stadium Kobe / Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe, Japan
Background & Context
Barcelona's 2024-25 season was generally successful: they secured La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, missing a Champions League final by a whisker following their dramatic defeat by Inter Milan in the semi-final. Under Hansi Flick, expectations are still sky-high.
With their new signings and Joan Garcia (GK), Roony Bardghji (winger), and blockbuster loan signing Marcus Rashford—the Catalans bring new verve into the 2025–26 season.
While Vissel Kobe is continuing their domestic dominance. They were J League winners in 2023 and 2024 and are leading the J League again in 2025, remaining unbeaten since May and winning their last four matches. This mid-season sharpness will make them dangerous opponents.
Team News & Likely Lineup
Barcelona
Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia (debut, filling in for Marc Andre Ter Stegen, who is out due to surgery).
Attack: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha with Lewandowski upfront and Rashford coming off the bench for his debut.
Midfield: Frenkie de Jong & Pedri controlling the play.
Defenders: Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde.
Vissel Kobe
Likely to change teams and might have two XIs in each half.
Anticipated XI: Maekawa; Sakai, Yamakawa, Thuler, Nagato; Ideguchi, Ogihara, Miyashiro; Erik, Sasaki, Hirose.
Top goal scorers: Taisei Miyashiro (13 goals), Erik (8), and Daiju Sasaki (7).
Tactical & Form Analysis
Barcelona
After the break (friendly), expect a slow tempo to start the match, but their inherent quality will rise to the surface.
Scoring trends: Barcelona averaged ~3.00 goals/game across their final five fixtures in the 2024–25 season.
Lamine Yamal: Scored 5 goals in the last 6 appearances.
Vissel Kobe
How much sharpness affects Kobe will be important here; they are in mid-season rhythm.
Home stats: In their last two home games, they have both scored and conceded 3 goals each; K2 also noted that 50% of their matches saw both teams score.
Prediction & Scoreline
On balance, almost all outlets will tip for a Barcelona win—most leaning towards a 1-3 result. Kobe might be able to score but will likely be overwhelmed by the front-line depth that Barcelona has (Lewandowski, Rashford, and Yamal).
Best Bets:
Barcelona to win
Over 2.5 total goals
Marcus Rashford to score anytime
Head-to-Head History
Meetings: 2 meetings (2019, 2023) Friendlies—Barcelona wins 2-0.
Kobe has not scored or gained 1st points from Barça, so 3rd time lucky!
Watch List
Taisei Miyashiro (Kobe): Kobe's leading scorer. Physical and opportunistic.
Lamine Yamal (Barça): Young phenom with a creative and clinical style.
Marcus Rashford (Barça): Attention focused on the England international's debut, should pace and finishing prove decisive.
Betting Tips & Odds
Odds will be updated closer to kickoff, but Barcelona are heavy favorites. Expect Kobe to be priced generously for any upsets.
Recommended bets: Win for Barça, over 2.5 total goals, and Rashford to score.
Analysis & Insights
We have a friendly contest juxtaposing Kobe’s match fitness with Barcelona's world-class depth and expect Kobe to press and try to settle into the match while Barcelona is likely to be slow out of the blocks at first but will subsequently gain match rhythm, quality, and ultimately control notably with respect to their attacking quality.
With Rashford making his debut, will he slot in on the left wing or perhaps eventually push Lewandowski aside for a fluid front three with Yamal and Raphinha? This match will provide Flick valuable scouting intel prior to beginning La Liga.
For bettors, keep in mind: first-half draws (as Barça may be slow out of the blocks) or second-half goals by Barça reflecting their much greater tactical advantage from a healthy bench depth?
Conclusion
Final score 3-1 Barcelona wins, and we expect it will be the first time the game Vissel Kobe sees them being defeated by Barcelona, and they will maintain a 100% record against Vissel Kobe. Fans will also get to witness Rashford's debut, along with viewing Barcelona sharpen where possible, prior to the heavy lift of the season.
