Tough fixtures between international breaks
The first international break of the season is about to end, and FC Barcelona will begin next week a stretch of competition that would test any squad. Flick’s men face up to seven official matches in just 21 days, split between La Liga and the Champions League, in a schedule that offers no respite before the next international break, set for 6–14 October.
First home fixture and European debut
The first challenge comes on Sunday, 14 September (9pm CEST), with Valencia visiting in what will be Barça’s first LaLiga home game of the season. Just four days later, on Thursday 18 September, Barça will make their European debut at the majestic St. James’ Park, visiting Newcastle United (9pm CEST) on a Champions League night that promises intensity and demands from the very first minute.
Midweek special
The competition will not stop, with Getafe (Sunday 21 September, 9pm CEST) the next opponent before a special occasion: the first midweek La Liga game, with a trip to Real Oviedo (Thursday 25 September, 9.30pm CEST). It will be a return to the Carlos Tartiere almost a quarter of a century later, against a newly promoted side that will experience the clash as a real celebration.
High intensity
The demanding run will continue with the game against Real Sociedad (Sunday 28 September, 9pm CET), just before one of the big matches at the start of the season: the first European home game against PSG (Wednesday 1 October, 9pm CET). And before the second international break, Barça will visit Sevilla, with date and time still to be confirmed.
Seven game test
All in all, Barça face seven matches in three weeks, with a mix of challenges that combine European demands with tough La Liga opponents. These will be an intense set of days, with travel, fatigue and very little time to recover between matches, forcing the team to the limits if they want to keep pace both in the league and in Europe.