Mathijsen joined Malaga from Bundesliga side Hamburg earlier this summer.
“The first week of the season is incredibly important. The team is brimming with confidence following our good pre-season,” Mathijsen was quoted as saying by EFE.
“Barcelona are likely to see much of the ball and dominate play. We know their strengths and we have to work hard to make sure we recoup the ball as soon as possible.”
