Once the FC Barcelona players are back from their international break, they have a busy period of six games in just 18 days, starting with the derby at home to Espanyol on Sunday September 9.

This is followed by the first Champions League fixture, also at the Camp Nou, against Juventus. That’s the first of two European ties in September, the first road trip being to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon.

In between, there are three Liga games for the blaugrana. They are away to Getafe, then at home to Eibar midweek before what promises to be a fascinating first ever Liga encounter with fellow Catalan outfit Girona, who have got off to a promising start in their maiden season of top flight football.