‘Matchday’, Barça documentary series to launch on November 29
Matchday, the new documentary series that provides an inside look at FC Barcelona in a never-before-seen way, will be exclusively released in Europe through the VOD platform Rakuten TV on November 29th. For the first time, viewers will be able to see exclusive content and footage from the day-to-day lives of the team coached by Ernesto Valverde, including players such as Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué, Marc-André ter Stegen and Luis Suárez.
The series, which consists of eight 45-minute episodes, focusing on eight key games in the 2018/19 season, will be available on Rakuten TV’s AVOD - ad-supported video-on-demand - service through its “free” section.
Narrated by actor John Malkovich, Matchday is a production by Barça Studios -the hub for creation, production and commercialisation of FC Barcelona’s audio-visual product- with the collaboration of Rakuten, in association with Rakuten H Collective Studio, Kosmos Studios and Producciones del Barrio.
Among the key events of the past season covered throughout the different episodes is El Clásico, the subject of two episodes showing how players prepare for the match, how they handle the pressure of this important event and their experience of the 90 minutes on the field of play. Specifically, the series covers the game at the Camp Nou won 5-1 by Barça, as well as the Copa del Rey match at the Santiago Bernabéu that ended 0-3. However, the other side of the game is reflected in another episode, showing the disappointment after the Champions League game against Liverpool at Anfield and Barça's elimination from the competition.
In addition to football, the new series will also portray insights into players’ daily lives off the pitch, such as a barbecue at Luis Suárez's house with Leo Messi and Jordi Alba; Piqué enjoying his free time together with his family; Ter Stegen designing his new house, or Ivan Rakitic cooking.
