PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Cádiz
All set at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys for the first official game of the season for Xavi Hernández's team at their new temporary home. The visitors are Cádiz and the match on Sunday kicks off at 7.30pm CEST.
After the goalless draw against Getafe last weekend, the blaugranes will be looking for their first win of the season in La Liga as they defend the title they claimed in the 2022/23 season. Cádiz, in contrast, have already grabbed a win in 2023/24 thanks to a 1-0 victory last weekend at home to newly promoted Alavés.
No room for complacency
Barça's overall record against Cádiz is a good one with 21 wins 5 draws and just 4 defeats in 30 meetings. However, since the Andalusians returned to the top flight in 2020, things have been much tighter with a win each and a draw in their last three meetings in Barcelona. Last season, the blaugranes were able to take victory thanks to first half goals from Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski.
Suspensions for home debut
With Barça looking for their first league win of the season, they will have to do without the suspended Raphinha after the Brazilian received a red card in last week's goalless draw at Getafe. Also sent off in that game was coach Xavi Hernández so the Barça boss will have to watch his side in action against Cádiz from the stands.
The game will be Barça's second of the season at the stadium after the Gamper Trophy win over Tottenham Hotspur, but it will their first official game at the Estadi Olímpic of the season, a venue which has witnessed plenty of Barça action in the past.
Cádiz looking to build on opening day win
After the win at home against Alavés in their first league game of the season, Cádiz will be looking to keep their run going against Barça. The Andalusians will be without midfielder Escalante after his red card on the opening weekend of the campaign, as well as the injured Sergi Guardiola, Brian Ocampo, Meré and Chust.
Coach Sergio González, a man who knows the stadium well from his playing days with Espanyol, will take heart from the fact that he led Cádiz to their only ever win away at FC Barcelona when Lucas Pérez's goal gave them victory in Spotify Camp Nou in the 2021/22 season.