How Barça fared in previous first La Liga games of a new calendar year

A new year is upon us and FC Barcelona will be aiming to begin with a win. Xavi Hernández and the squad's first game of the year is on Sunday (9:00pm CET) against RCDE Mallorca at the Son Moix stadium, fulfilling La Liga matchday 19. Let's take a look at how Barça have fared in the first La Liga game of the calendar year over the past decade.

So, five wins, four draws, and only one defeat. Barça lost at Anoeta in 2015, somewhat of a sliding doors moment for Luis Enrique's team, who went one to win the treble that season.

Positive precedents for the first game of the year at Son Moix

Since the first La Liga season in 1929, Barça have begun the calendar year in Mallorca twice, winning both times. In the 1966 season - also on January 2 - the score was Barça 1 - 2 RCDE Mallorca. Over a quarter of a century later, it was also the first game of the year in the 1992 season. Johan Cruyff's team managed to match the previous result (1-2). It's also worth noting that Mallorca visited Camp Nou on January 3, 2009, for Barça's first match of the calendar year, with the home side winning again, this time 3-1.

Recent history away from Camp Nou

Playing your first game of the calendar year away from home is always tough, a fact borne out by recent results. Barça began the year as the visitors seven times in the past decade, winning twice, losing once, and drawing four times. Xavi Hernández' side will attempt to repeat last season's result at Huesca (0-1) in Son Moix to start 2022 with three more points in the bag.