Barcelona staying in Europe for next preseason

Published Apr. 11, 2012 11:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Barcelona's next preseason tour will not venture to North America or Asia as the Spanish champions look to cut down on jet lag by scheduling only European friendlies.

The European champions say the accumulation of games from this season plus the European Championship and London Olympics were behind the decision. Barcelona could also play the Champions League final on May 19.

Barcelona's season will not end before the Copa del Rey final on May 25, with at least eight first-team players likely to help World Cup champion Spain defend its European title in Poland and Ukraine.