Seven top games on the way

After three tough fixtures to open the Liga campaign (Villarreal, Celta and Sevilla), things don’t get any easier between now and the next international break. Ronald Koeman and his team face seven tricky encounters against Getafe, Ferencváros, Real Madrid, Juventus, Alavés, Dinamo Kyiv and Betis.

Clásico without fans

First up is Getafe (October 17 @ 9.00pm CEST), and although Barça have a decent record of late at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, it is a notoriously difficult place to get three points.

And a week after that comes the biggie. For the first time ever, El Clásico is being played behind closed doors (October 24). But that doesn’t take anything away from the immensity of the occasion.

That’s followed by another traditionally awkward away trip to Alavés (October 31 or November 1), and then a game at home to Betis (November 7 or 8), the penultimate team to win at the Camp Nou.

Champions League back-to-back

Due to schedule changes caused by Covid-19, the Champions League group stage is going to be racing by this year, and all three opening matches are being played in consecutive weeks.

It starts with the first ever competitive meeting with Ferencváros (October 20 @ 9.00pm CEST), then comes the visit to Juventus (October 28 @ 9.00pm CET) and finally Dinamo Kyiv will be at Camp Nou (November 4 @ 9.00pm CET).