26.09.2010 13:41

Athletic Club and Atlético defeated

Anna Segura

Within the first five games of the new league season FC Barcelona have picked up maximum in two of the most difficult away games as they added the triumph against Athletic Club to their victory at Atlético de Madrid.

In just under seven days Pep Guardiola's team have travelled to Vicente Calderón and San Mamés and come away with six points from the two encounters. Both grounds are historically hard places for the Catalan outfit and the wins prove what great form the team are in and the spirit and determination that all the players have. After winning 1-2 last weekend against Atleti, the Blaugrana followed up with a 1-3 success on Saturday evening against Athletic.

More points

Last season Barça were beaten 2-1 by Atlético de Madrid away from home and were held to a draw by Athletic Club, so they already have five more points from those two tricky fixtures.

Historic start

It is unusual that Barça have to play both Atlético and Athletic Club away so early in the season. The last time that they met them both in the opening weeks came when Frank Rijkaard was in charge in the 2003/04 campaign and after winning 0-1 against Athletic Club they were held to a goalless draw in the Vicente Caldéron.

Five doubles

History shows that Barça have beaten both Athletic Club and Atlético de Madrid away from home in the same season on just five occasions. The last time was in the 2006/07 season when Barça won 1-3 in Bilbao and then recorded a 0-6 triumph in Madrid. The other times came in the 1934/35, 1983/84 and 1999/2000 terms.