Previous starts for FC Barcelona against Valencia
The 2024/25 fixtures were announced on Tuesday, and Hansi Flick now knows that his first game in charge of FC Barcelona will be on August 17 or 18 away to Valencia. It's by no means an easy start for the German boss.
He will be following in the footsteps of César Rodríguez, who on 14 September 1963 also made his managerial debut at Mestalla. Hopefully things won't be quite as messy as that occasion, for the game only lasted for 28 minutes before it had to be abandoned due to the heavy rain.
The remainder of match was played two months later on November 13, and the Catalans ended up winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Pereda and Fusté.
Fourth start against Valencia
This will only be the fourth time that Barça's opening fixture has been against Valencia. The first was in 1958, with Barça romping to a 6-0 victory. Five years later came Rodríguez's rain-affected debut.
The only other time the two teams met on the opening day was in 1982/83, and was also the only time that Valencia won, 2-1, with Barça's consolation goal scored by the great Diego Maradona.