The best start under Rijkaard
FC Barcelona have made their best start to a league season under Frank Rijkaard. With four wins and a draw and having scored 13 goals and let in just four, the Blaugrana currently top la Primera.
Only in 2004-05 have Barça made a similar opening to a campaign under the Dutchman. That year the record also stood at played five, won four, drawn won and no defeats, but had only scored 12 goals let in three. Valencia were also joint leaders, but they had scored 14 goals and let in five.
The same two teams are back at the top this time, again with 13 points, but this time Barça are ahead on goal difference as Rijkaard's team have scored 13 and let in four, while Los Ché have netted ten and conceded two.
More goals
This season has been very productive in front of goal as Barça have chalked up 13 already, an achievement matched only by Sevilla. The teams top scorer is Samuel Eto'o with four, while Gudjohnsen and Messi have two each and Ronaldinho, Giuly, Iniesta, Puyol and Saviola have all scored one.
A year ago
Under Rijkaard, the team's worst start came last season, 205-06, when the team began with two wins, two draws and a defeat. With eight points the team sat in seventh place at the same stage. Despite that, Barça went on to have an incredible campaign as they retained the league title.
Season by season
2003-04
- Athletic Club - FC Barcelona 0-1
- FC Barcelona - Sevilla 1-1
- Albacete - FCB 1-2
- FC Barcelona - Osasuna 1-1
- At. Madrid - FC Barcelona 0-0
2004-05
- Racing - FC Barcelona 0-2
- FC Barcelona - Sevilla 2-0
- At. Madrid - FC Barcelona 1-1
- FC Barcelona - Zaragoza 4-1
- Mallorca - FC Barcelona 1-3
2005-06
- Alavés - FC Barcelona 0-0
- FC Barcelona - Mallorca
- At. Madrid - FC Barcelona 2-1
- FC Barcelona - Valencia 2-2
- Betis - FC Barcelona 1-4
2006-07
- Celta - FC Barcelona 2-3
- FC Barcelona - Osasuna 3-0
- Racing - FC Barcelona 0-3
- FC Barcelona - Valencia 1-1
- Athletic Club - FC Barcelona 1-3