Recent league openers for FC Barcelona

Winning away at Valencia in Mestalla would be a great way for FC Barcelona to get the 2024/25 season under way. After an intense preseason, new Barça coach Hansi Flick will take charge of the side for the first time in official competition this Saturday against los che with kick off at 9.30pm CEST. As such, we take a look back at the first game of the league campaign over the last decade for the blaugranes. 

Two draws in last two seasons

Since 2014, Barça have won 7 of their last 10 season openers, losing just once and drawing twice. The draws came in the last two Liga campaigns under Xavi Hernández, being held goalless against Rayo in 2022 and Getafe in 2023. In 2021, the blaugranes saw off Real Sociedad 4-2 at home in the season opener, and the campaign before they dispatched Villarreal 4-0, also at home. In 2019, we find the blaugranes' only defeat in the first La Liga game of the campaign over the last decade, which was a 1-0 reverse against Athletic Club in San Mamés. 

Away from home a tough start 

Away from Barcelona the league opener is always a tougher proposition. The last 10 league openers away have seen four wins, four draws and two defeats with the blaugranes winning twice at Racing Santander, once at Celta Vigo and once in San Mamés against Athletic Club. 

Twice kicking off against Valencia 

On the two occasions that Barça and Valencia have previously met on the opening weekend of the league season, the blaugranes prevailed in 1958 in Les Corts with Valencia taking victory in 1982.