The title defence began in the best possible way for Barça. Despite being somewhat unusual, the 0-3 away to Mallorca in the opening fixture shows the good vibes remain from preseason for Hansi Flick's side. Goals by Raphinha, Ferran and Lamine Yamal – all three forwards chosen to face the Balearic Islanders – helped the Catalans earn the first three points of the season from the first away game.

Precedents after a 0-3

This isn't the first time the first LaLiga match has been won 0-3 away, and past results mean there is room for optimism. Prior to this match, a 0-3 in the first game has happened three times before, with Barça going on to win the title twice and finish runners-up once.

You have to go back to the 1953/54 season for the first, when a Ferdinand Daučík's Barça defeated Real Sociedad with a brace by Kubala and a goal from Manchón. Despite the good start, the blaugranas finished LaLiga in second, four points behind Real Madrid.

Champions in both 1984/85 and 2010/11

Three decades later, specifically the 1984/85 season, LaLiga began with a Clasico, and Terry Venables' Barça won well at the Bernabéu, with goals from Archibald and Calderé, plus an own goal by the hosts. The blaugranes went on to win the league by 10 points from Atletico Madrid.

The most recent occasion was in the 2010/11 season, with Pep Guardiola at the helm, with a win away to Racing Santander, with Messi, Iniesta and Villa scoring the goals. They would go on to accumulate 96 points, four more than Real Madrid. They had already won the Spanish Super Cup that season and would end up beating Manchester United 3-1 in the final to claim the fourth Champions league trophy.

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The day Messi was crowned at Wembley

 

Barça have mirrored those three results and Flick's side will want more after a memorable season with the domestic treble, so hopefully the 0-3 away to Mallorca is just the start.

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