FC Barcelona are enjoying a comfortable international break after arriving at the international break as sole leaders of LaLiga and after thrashing Young Boys in the Champions League (5-0). However, the Blaugrana team will face a 'hot' run at the end of the FIFA date, having to face Sevilla and Bayern Munich in Montjuïc and Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu between October 20 and 26.
Three matches, a priori, complicated for a team that fully trusts in coming out well from this 'trial by fire', which will begin next Sunday against the Sevillian team at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Three days later, in this same venue, Hansi Flick's team will receive their 'black beast' in Europe.
Bayern will visit Barcelona, in what will be the first important test for the culés in the Champions League. Vincent Kompany's men are the toughest opponents the Blaugranas will have to face on a continental level, as after this clash they will face Estrella Roja, Stade Brestois, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and Atalanta.
The big 'test' at the Bernabéu
After the match against the Bavarians, the Blaugrana expedition will head to the capital to visit Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Whites will arrive at the Clásico with the need to close the gap on Flick's team and make a statement after a catastrophic start to the season. For their part, the Catalans aim to put an end to a league in which they have been overwhelmingly superior from the start, with the Merengue stronghold being the ideal setting to establish themselves as the best team in Spain.
Carlo Ancelotti's men will therefore put Barça to the test, having only been beaten in the league by Osasuna, on a pitch where they have only won in the five matches they have played in the tournament.
These two matches will serve as a barometer to determine the Catalans' level of high competition and the team's aspirations for the remainder of the season. Finally, before heading off for the final break of the year, the Catalans will play the derby against Espanyol on 3 November, the Champions League match against Red Star on 6 November and will visit Anoeta to face Real Sociedad on 10 November.