---
title: "Barcelona Enters Italy for 45-Minute Round-Robin Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/barcelona-friuli-venezia-giulia-cup-schedule-format-56uhs
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
published: 2026-08-08T18:30:00.000Z
modified: 2026-08-08T22:01:30.425Z
language: en-IN
---

# Barcelona Enters Italy for 45-Minute Round-Robin Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup

Hansi Flick utilizes a unique Italian tournament format to refine his squad before the La Liga season begins. Barcelona faces Nottingham Forest and Udinese in a high-speed, single-day competition.

## Key takeaways

- Barcelona returns to Udine for the first time since 2005 to compete in a regional promotion tournament.
- The competition uses an unorthodox 45-minute match length with a specific point system for penalty shootouts.
- Indian fans can only access the matches via official club-specific subscription services or match passes.

## The 45-Minute Format Explained

Hansi Flick and his Barcelona squad are headed to Udine, Italy, for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup this Sunday. This unique preseason event, hosted at the Bluenergy Stadium, departs from standard football durations. Each match consists of only 45 minutes of play. The tournament operates on a round-robin basis featuring three clubs: FC Barcelona, Udinese, and Nottingham Forest.

The scoring system rewards efficiency and provides a safety net for draws. A victory during the regulation 45 minutes earns a team three points. If the clock expires on a level score, the match proceeds immediately to a penalty shootout. The shootout winner secures two points, while the loser receives a single point for the effort.

## Strategic Preparation for La Liga

This Italian excursion serves as a final testing ground before Barcelona’s domestic season opener against Elche on August 24. Having already contested friendlies against CE Europa and Birmingham City, Flick continues to integrate academy prospects with first-team veterans. The Friuli Venezia Giulia region organized this initiative to elevate its international sporting profile, marking Barcelona’s first return to the city since a UEFA Champions League encounter in December 2005.

## Key Facts

- The tournament takes place on Sunday, August 8, at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.
- Participating teams include FC Barcelona, Nottingham Forest, and Udinese Calcio.
- Matches follow a 45-minute format with immediate penalty shootouts for draws.
- The opening match between Udinese and Nottingham Forest begins at 11:30 p.m. IST.
- Barcelona will play consecutive matches following the opener.

## Broadcast and Viewing Details

Indian supporters will find no traditional television or streaming options for this event. No domestic broadcasters have secured the rights for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup. Viewers must instead rely on official club channels, which require individual match passes or platform subscriptions to access the live feeds.

Source: Sportstar

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/barcelona-friuli-venezia-giulia-cup-schedule-format-56uhs
Reported from: Sportstar