Barça coach Xavi to miss the preseason opening tie against Inter Miami in the US
The Catalan coach was unable to travel to Miami early this Tuesday, and will not be present for FC Barcelona's match against Inter Miami at the DRV PNK Stadium
It's bad news for Barça fans. Xavi Hernandez will not be able to manage Barça's first game of the preseason tour of the United States. The coach from Egará has not been able to travel to America this Tuesday morning as planned and, therefore, his brother Óscar Hernández will be in charge of the Blaugrana in the match against Inter Miami, scheduled for 02h CEST at the DRV PNK Stadium.
The coach could not be part of the expedition last Saturday because of bureaucratic issues. The Terrassa native had visited Iran three times to play with Al-Sadd, and could not travel with the team because he was denied the ESTA, as he needed a special permit to enter the US that he did not have. Although in principle all his documents are believed to be in order, the flight to the U.S. has been cancelled and, right now, it is unknown when he will arrive in Miami.
Xavi and Robert Lewandowski are the main centres of attention in these first stages of Barça's tour of the United States. The former has not been able to lead any of his team's training sessions due to his visa issues and will have to wait until the Las Vegas clasico to sit on the bench. The Polish striker will have to wait to make his debut in the Barça jersey, as he has also not been able to participate in any of the training sessions. This Tuesday, barring any surprises, he will be presented.
