PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Athletic Club

La Liga got off to a brilliant start for FC Barcelona as a Robert Lewandowski brace earned a 2-1 win at Valencia. The result leaves Barça joint top of the table with Celta Vigo, although after just one game it's still very early days!

Saturday at 7pm CEST brings the first home fixture of the campaign, and it's another classic encounter against last year's Copa del Rey winners Athletic Club.

After his only game to date at the Estadi Olimpic, the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Monaco, ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat, Hansi Flick will be hoping for much better from his team in his official debut at the stadium where Barça will continue to play home fixtures until the new Spotify Camp Nou opens its doors later this season.

But although Athletic could only draw 1-1 in their opening game at home to Getafe, games against the side managed by an old friend in Ernesto Valverde have been anything but easy affairs for Barça in recent seasons. It was Athletic who put an end to Barça's cup campaign last term, and the league game at San Mamés ended 0-0.

That said, when Barça have been the home side, things have gone considerably better. In fact, it is almost a quarter of a decade since the Basques took three points out of this fixture. Last year's game was a 1-0 victory for the blaugrana, although the game was heading for a 0-0 draw before late sub Marc Guiu sensationally secured the win right in the nick of time in his first ever senior appearance.

As usual we have compiled a full guide to help you to find the right time and the right channel to watch the game in your part of the world. If you are unable to watch the game for whatever reason, or if you just fancy a second screen to complement your viewing, you'll find all the in-game stats and live text in our Match Center. 

Team news

It is testament to FC Barcelona's strength in depth and excellent set of youngsters that they were able to come through the Valencia game without the services of any of Ronald Araujo (hamstring), Frenkie de Jong (ankle) or Gavi (knee). They will be missing for this game too, while Ansu Fati, back from his loan spell at Brighton, is also unavailable with a foot injury and there was further bad news when Andreas Christensten had to drop out at the last minute with an Achilles issue.

Star signing Dani Olmo still isn't registered to play in La Liga, but hopefully things can get sorted out in time for him to line-up in this one.

All of Gerard Martín, Marc Bernal and Pau Víctor did get to make their Liga debuts at Mestalla, and could well feature on Saturday too, while Fermin Lopez is also back on duty after a busy summer at Euro 24 and the Paris Olympics.

With Unai Simón recovering from a wrist operation, Julen Agirrezabala will probably take his place in the Athletic goal after he recovered from a lower back issue. De Marcos is also fit to play but all of Álvaro Djaló, Aitor Paredes and Galarreta are left out through injury.

Top stat

If Lewandowski were to score two or more goals on Saturday he would become only the second player this century to score more than one goal in the first two games of a Liga season. The name of the only player to have achieved the feat shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. Initials LM and from Argentina. Of course!

Hansi says

"Athletic have very clear ideas on and off the ball. They're physically very strong and it'll be hard, but I am confident that we can win. It's important to have the support of the fans. We need a good connection and I am sure they will help us to get stronger."

"Ilkay Gündogan wanted to help us but changed his mind this week. It happens. I know him as a player and a person, and I can only say good things about him. He is a fantastic player and person.”

"Dani Olmo is a fantastic player. I see him in training, under pressure, in front of goal, and he’s absolutely fantastic. For the team, it’s positive, so we hope we can see him.”