Overview
- The match kicks off at Camp Nou at 9:00 p.m. CEST (19:00 GMT; 3:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday, August 27 and will be shown in the U.S. on ESPN/ESPN Deportes with streaming via ESPN+, ESPN Select and Fubo.
- Barcelona arrive buoyed by a 5-0 win over Elche and Hansi Flick has named Rodri in the matchday squad with the Spain captain expected to make his club debut from the bench.
- Athletic head to Barcelona after a 3-1 home loss to Sevilla that included Yuri Berchiche’s early red card and consequent suspension, leaving new manager Edin Terzić with a reduced defensive list to pick from.
- Barcelona still face selection problems with Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji sidelined long-term and Gavi doubtful because of a knee issue, while the club publicly continues to press Atlético Madrid for Julián Álvarez as the transfer window winds down.
- Barcelona’s dominance over Athletic is a clear backdrop to the game given six straight wins and 10 clean sheets in the last 12 meetings, a record that helps explain why a positive result would extend early-season momentum and keep pressure on the club’s transfer decisions.