If there is a topic that FC Barcelona must deal with at the start of the 2024/25 season, it is the unequivocal fact that they will have a challenging schedule, at least in terms of the first half of the tournament. Why? The Azulgrana team will have to face a 'fixture' that will not allow them to play as many home games as they would like.
This is not simply an unfounded assertion. Of the first 19 matches that FC Barcelona will play in the first half of the league, 11 will be away from their stadium: Valencia CF (matchday 1), Rayo Vallecano (matchday 3), Girona (matchday 5), Villarreal CF (matchday 6), CA Osasuna (matchday 8), Deportivo Alavés (matchday 9), Real Madrid (matchday 11), Real Sociedad (matchday 13), Celta de Vigo (matchday 14), Real Betis (matchday 16), and RCD Mallorca (matchday 19). This leaves only eight matches at home: Athletic Club (matchday 2), Real Valladolid (matchday 4), Getafe CF (matchday 7), Sevilla FC (matchday 10), Espanyol (matchday 12), UD Las Palmas (matchday 15), Leganés (matchday 17), and Atlético de Madrid (matchday 18).
Why will FC Barcelona face such a challenging first half of the schedule in LaLiga 24/25?
Of course, this schedule is designed this way due to FC Barcelona's intention to make the most of their home games once Camp Nou is available to host matches, which is estimated to be by the end of 2024. In this regard, for the second half of LaLiga EA Sports starting on January 19, 2025, with the match against Getafe CF at the Coliseum, Barcelona will have the opportunity to make much more of their home games, as they will play 11 matches at home and only eight away.
However, what is not taken into account with this plan is that so many consecutive away games could condition the start of LaLiga for FC Barcelona. Generally, away matches tend to be more challenging and exhausting, which could affect the team's performance in the local tournament if they are not in their best form.
Although, of course, if the Culés manage to overcome this series of away matches, in the second half they will have the opportunity to finish the competition strongly with more home games and all the advantages that entails. Despite being a challenging start for the Culés, will they be able to overcome it convincingly? Only time will tell. For now, they have successfully overcome the first of the 11 away obstacles, by defeating Valencia CF (1-2) at the always challenging Mestalla.