50 years since Cruyff's competitive debut for Barça

Today sees the first El Clásico of the season, and half a century ago, Johan Cruyff made his competitive debut for FC Barcelona on the very same date. The Dutchman had to wait two and a half months to make his debut after his signing was agreed on 13 August 1973, the reason being that the football federation in the Netherlands, with Japp Van Praag at the helm, did not agree with the player's transfer as it should have happened between the 1 and 31 July. The Ajax president did all he could to put a spanner in the works and it looked like approval wouldn't be granted until December, before it ended up being resolved a bit earlier.

Even though he couldn't play in competitive games, Cruyff featured in four friendly matches against Club Bruges, Kickers Offenbach, Arsenal and Ourense, which helped to start to pay back the transfer fee. He was finally given the green light to make his debut as a blaugrana on 28 October 1973 at the Stadium against Granada. Just as significant a date as 13 August, as history changed from then onwards.

The first of 26 games unbeaten with Cruyff

Barça came into the game second from bottom in the league, only ahead of Sporting Gijón, having lost three of the first seven Liga games. The home fans had high hopes for Cruyff and he didn't disappoint. Facing a very attritional Granada side, the Dutchman led the way with a brace as part of a big 4-0 win that proved to be the first of 26 games unbeaten that would see the blaugranes win the 1973/74 Liga title with five games to go.

De la Cruz got the first goal just before half-time. Cruyff then scored his first competitive goal for Barça five minutes after the break and rounded off the 4-0 win with his second on 68 minutes, after Sotil had scored the third.

GAME STATS

Stadium: Camp Nou, attendance 100,000.

FC Barcelona: Sadurní, Rifé, Torres, Costas, Cruz, Juan Carlos, Juanito, Asensi, Cruyff, Sotil and Marcial.

Granada CF: Izcoa, Montero Castillo, Falito, Fernández, Toni, Santi (Cabrera 75'), Chirri, Jaén, Quiles, Dueñas (Martín 59') and Porta.

Goals: 1-0, De la Cruz (44'). 2-0, Cruyff (50'). 3-0, Sotil (59'). 4-0, Cruyff (68').

Referee: Soto Montesino. Yellow card for Fernández from Granada CF.