The wait to get started is almost over. FC Barcelona are set to make their competitive debut this season on Saturday 16 August, kickoff 7.30pm CEST. The opponents are Mallorca and the venue is the Son Moix stadium, when both teams will fulfil the week 1 LaLiga fixture. It will be the first competitive test for the sides to show the fine form they have been in preseason, with Mallorca winning four out of six, while Barça scored a plethora of goals over their four games.
Good results on matchday one
A positive start is key to gaining confidence from day one. This is why the blaugranes will give everything to get the first win of the season. However, they are facing Mallorca, who tend to do well in gameweek one matches. In fact, both teams usually earn points when setting out on a league campaign. If we look back at previous matchday one fixtures, both Mallorca and Barça have come away with positive results.
The Balearic Islanders have earned four draws in a row and haven’t lost the opening fixture since the 2020/21 season, when they faced Rayo Vallecano in the Segunda División. Barça’s last defeat came back in the 2019/20 season against Athletic Club, and they have had three wins and two draws since.
Past meetings favour the blaugranes
Recent games between Mallorca and Barça at the Son Moix stadium have gone the visitors’ way. The blaugranes have won three and drawn one of the last four in Mallorca. So, another win for Barça will keep the good run going. It’s worth noting that the last meeting was fairly resounding with Hansi Flick’s side running out convincing 1-5 winners against Jagoba Arrasate’s team.
Muriqi and Lamine Yamal lead the respective attacks
This first LaLiga match looks interesting when it comes to the forward lines in both teams. Hansi Flick’s side will have to be mindful of Vedat Muriqi, the leader of the Mallorcans’ attack and their top scorer last season. When it comes to Barça, look no further than Lamine Yamal, as the Catalan scored four goals in preseason and is likely to be looking forward to getting off the mark in competitive action this 2025/26 season.
So, both teams are seeking out their first win of the season to get off to a good start in the league, and everything is set for Barça to get the ball rolling in LaLiga.