FC Barcelona will begin their defence of LaLiga away to Athletic Club
The reigning champions will head to San Mames to face Ernesto Valverde's former side on match day one
FC Barcelona now know who their first opponent will be in the 2019/20 LaLiga season: Athletic Club. Ernesto Valverde will take his team to his former 'home' as the reigning champions face Athletic at the San Mames Stadium on the weekend beginning the 18th of August.
San Mames isn't an easy place to go but it's been a happy hunting ground in recent years for Barça. They haven't lost up there since 2013 and in their last five fixtures in Bilbao they've won four and drawn one. They drew both the home and away fixtures against Athletic last season.
Valverde is well loved up north and received a fine reception when he first returned to the club in the opposition's dugout.
Real Madrid also begin next season away from home, largely due to the building works ongoing at the Santiago Bernabeu, and they'll face Denis Suarez's new team Celta Vigo.
