Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says there'll be no underestimating Alaves for their LaLiga opener.

The Catalans entertain Alaves at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening in the first match of the new LaLiga season.

"Alaves are a team that plays good games at the Camp Nou," he said to reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"They're the last team to win here, and since Abelardo came they have been faithful to a style and have done well."

In a week when it was agreed to play LaLiga games in the United States, Valverde hinted that it's the way the game is going.

"It all sounds strange to us all, but it also sounded weird to play a Super Cup abroad and we have done it," he added.

"The world of football is crossing the border of what the sport is."