Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona: A huge game in the very first matchday

Across the long history of meetings between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona, these two teams have met in 89 of the 93 LALIGA EA SPORTS seasons. However, they have only faced each other in the opening matchday on three occasions. The last time was on September 4th 1982, in Diego Armando Maradona’s official debut with Los Azulgrana, just after the World Cup in Spain.

They’ll meet again in Matchday 1 of the 2024/25 season and Valencia CF come into this match with a renewed squad and high expectations. Under the direction of coach Rubén Baraja, the club made strategic signings during the summer market, seeking to strengthen its spine with the acquisition of North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and of forwards Rafa Mir and Dani Gómez, who arrive on loan from Sevilla FC and Levante UD respectively. The fans are looking forward to seeing their new players in action and hope to see Los Che improve on last campaign’s 9th place. Key players such as José Gayà or Hugo Duro remain at the club and will be fundamental. By kicking off at home, Valencia CF will be hoping their supporters can cheer them on to their first three points of the season.

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona arrive at Mestalla for the first competitive game of the Hansi Flick era. The German coach will look to build a dangerous attack, one which features talents such as Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski or Raphinha. Although they have injured players right now, such as Ronald Araújo, Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati, Barça have added Euro 2024 champion Dani Olmo, who joins from RB Leipzig and who returns to his former home 10 years after his departure. The Catalan outfit are expected to dominate the ball and create a lot of chances in attack, something they’ll aim to do from minute one. 

This clash between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the opening round of the new LALIGA EA SPORTS season. It should be a thrilling encounter, if last season is anything to go by. Then, they drew 1-1 at Mestalla, before Los Azulgrana earned a 4-2 victory in Matchday 33 when they met at Montjuïc towards the end of last season. Now, they’ll face off once again to get the new LALIGA EA SPORTS campaign up and running.