Hamza Abdelkarim's situation: two Moroccans in the expected line-up for the Al-Ahly and Barcelona match

A celebratory match with a competitive flavour

Football fans are counting down to Wednesday evening's eagerly awaited clash between Al Ahly and Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy, with particular interest surrounding Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim. He faces his former club in his first appearance in front of the Barcelona faithful at the Camp Nou.

Catalan newspaper "Sport" revealed the expected line-ups for both sides. Abdelkarim does not feature in Barcelona's starting eleven, his name instead appearing among the substitutes.

That's despite the Egyptian's excellent pre-season, where he scored 3 goals to finish as Barcelona's leading scorer during their preparations. A recognised out-and-out striker still has no place in coach Hansi Flick's plans.

According to "Sport", Flick is still hunting for the best solution to fill the number "9" role before facing Elche in the opening round of the Spanish league. He deployed Raphinha there in the last friendly against Basel.

The Spanish newspaper predicts Moroccans Achraf Bencharki and Sofiane Bendebka will lead Al Ahly's attack alongside the Algerian Moncef Bakrar, with Egyptian Emam Ashour starting on the bench.

Barcelona's expected line-up for the Al Ahly match

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia.

Defence: Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Alejandro Balde.

Midfield: Marc Bernal, Espart, Fermin Lopez.

Attack: Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Raphinha.

On Barcelona's substitutes' bench sit Szczesny, Kounde, Cortes, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ebrima, Jordan, Bicho, and Hamza Abdelkarim.

Al Ahly's expected line-up for the Barcelona match

Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobier.

Defence: Koka, Hady Riad, Yasser Ibrahim, Yahia Attiat-Allah.

Midfield: Marwan Attia, Akram Tawfik, Ali Mahmoud.

Attack: Moncef Bakrar, Sofiane Bendebka, Achraf Bencharki.

Al Ahly's substitutes' bench includes: Mohamed El Shenawy, Emam Ashour, Reda, Hamza Abdelkarim, Ahmed, Salah, Zizo, and Afsha.

Hamza Abdelkarim against his former club

The match carries special significance for Abdelkarim, who faces Al Ahly for the first time since his move to Barcelona. He came through the ranks of the Red club before embarking on his European adventure.

According to "Sport", the Egyptian is trying to seize the opportunity handed to him by the absence of a recognised starting striker in Barcelona's squad. That could earn him minutes during the match, despite his omission from the expected starting eleven.

Al Ahly and Barcelona kick off at 8:00 pm Cairo time at the Spotify Camp Nou, as part of the Joan Gamper Trophy.