Tenth opening day fixture with Athletic

On Friday, Barça will be opening the season against Athletic Club for the tenth time in club history, a story that dates back to what was only the third edition of La Liga, back in the days before televised football, not even in black and white.

The year was 1930, and Barça, managed by Englishman Jim Bellamy, won 6-3 at Les Corts, although Athletic would go on to win the title.

Barça have only lost an opening game against the Basques once, in 1949 at the old San Mamés. That’s especially impressive considering that the Catalans only had home advantage in three of the ten opening games, and none of the last five.

The two most recent editions have been 1-0 wins for Barça. Cocu got the winner in 2003, while Barça’s first ever visit to the new-look ‘Cathedral’ in 2015 was decided by Luis Suárez.

OPENING DAY MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS