FC Barcelona are set for an early-season classic against Athletic Club on August 27th. This LaLiga matchday two clash continues a statistical tradition between the two clubs, as highlighted in a report by Mundo Deportivo.
Barça enter the match after a perfect league start, with one win placing them fifth in the standings. The team has scored five goals without conceding, giving them a +5 goal difference. Fermín López, with two goals in one appearance, is the team's top scorer so far this campaign.
Why do they meet so early?
Endika Río, a journalist for Mundo Deportivo, noted: "Hay una sensación de que Barça y Athletic siempre se ven las caras muy pronto en LaLiga". The data backs this up. In 11 of the 26 completed leagues this century, the two teams have faced each other in one of the first three matchdays. Thursday's clash is technically the second league game for both, but it is the first matchday, delayed due to the World Cup.
The most recent such early-season meeting was in the 2024-25 season, a 2-1 Barcelona win at Montjuïc. Between 2019 and 2021, the fixture was the season opener for three consecutive campaigns. In the 2019-20 opener, Athletic won 1-0 with a bicycle kick goal from Aritz Aduriz, which was his last professional goal.
What happened in other early meetings?
The 2020-21 season had a special circumstance. The match, scheduled for the second matchday, was postponed until January because Barcelona's previous Champions League run extended their prior season. That January 2021 match was Marcelino's debut as Athletic manager, and Barcelona won 2-3.
In 2021-22, a 1-1 draw on the second matchday marked the return of fans to San Mamés after the pandemic. Athletic fans have fond memories of earlier years: Barça lost 0-1 at San Mamés on the second matchday of 2016-17 and also on the first matchday of 2015-16, just days after Athletic had beaten them in the Supercopa.
How did this tradition start in the 21st century?
Before that recent cycle, there was an early meeting on the third matchday of 2014-15, a 2-0 Barcelona win. The immediate precedent was on the second matchday of 2007-08, where Barça won 3-1 and Markel Susaeta scored his first goal for Athletic.
One of the most symbolic clashes was the opening matchday of the 2003-04 season. That match was Ernesto Valverde's first as Athletic manager and also Andoni Iraola's debut with the first team. For Barcelona, it was Frank Rijkaard's first game in charge and Ronaldinho's LaLiga debut. Phillip Cocu scored the winning goal.
On the second matchday of 2002-03, Barcelona won 0-2. And at the turn of the century, in the 2000-01 season, Athletic won a convincing 3-1. In that match, Patrick Kluivert scored for Barça, while Joseba Larrazabal netted a brace from the penalty spot and Francisco Yeste sealed the win with a late goal.
Is it an advantage to face them early?
There is a popular belief, as pointed out by Endika Río, that "suelen decir que es mejor pillar pronto a equipos potentes como el Barça por aquello de que todavía no estén tan rodados". However, the historical record shows this is a myth in Athletic's case. Results have been varied over the years, with no clear pattern favouring either team simply because they play early in the campaign.
This fixture was an August or September classic when the calendar was symmetrical, and it has endured even under the current asymmetric format. For Barcelona, who aim to close the three-point gap to leaders Sevilla, this home game against an Athletic side currently bottom of the table is a chance to solidify their strong start. The Culés will look to add another three points to their tally on our fixtures page before the competition heats up.
