News
MAR 16.08.2016
It is time to take note of some key dates to make sure you don't miss a thing when LaLiga kicks off this weekend. When is the first Clasico? On which matchdays do Real Betis and Sevilla FC meet? When are the Galician derbies? Grab a pen and paper, and start counting down to the big kick-off.
Promoted sides get underway on the road
At. Osasuna, CD Leganes and D. Alaves will all be on their travels to get the ball rolling on their respective LaLiga campaigns. Osasuna are away to Malaga CF, Leganes face a tough trip to RC Celta, while Alaves have been handed a potential baptism of fire at the Vicente Calderon.
Barcelona v Atletico, an early highlight
One of the tastiest matches in the opening weeks will see Luis Enrique's FC Barcelona play host to Diego Simeone's charges on 21 September, as part of Matchday 5. The champions visit the Calderon in the return game on 26 February.
El Clasico set for December and April
As ever, Barça and Real Madrid will be firmly in the spotlight when El Clasico comes around, which this term will be on Matchdays 14 and 33, on 4 December and 23 April respectively. All fans of Spanish football are sure to be already looking forward to these two blockbuster clashes, which will once again bring the world to a standstill.
Madrid mania on Matchdays 12 and 31
The first instalment of the always eagerly awaited derby double-header between Atletico and Los Blancos will take place on Matchday 12 at the Calderon, on the weekend of 20 November. The reverse fixture is scheduled for 9 April, at what could be a crucial juncture of the campaign.
The Galician derby dates RC Deportivo will take on Celta, who will be in Europe next season, for the points and local bragging rights on Matchdays 9 and 28.
An early Basque derby We will not be made to wait long before Athletic Club take on La Real, with Matchdays 8 and 27 set to be brimming with the emotion associated with derbies between two great sides. If you are an Athletic or Real Sociedad supporter, mark the following dates in red in your calendar: 16 October and 12 March.
Seville to be spruced up for the derby All eyes will be on the Andalusian capital on Matchday 5, on the same weekend as the exciting clash between Barcelona and Atletico, with the city's long-standing rivals going toe-to-toe on 21 September. The return fixture will be on 26 February.
A late Catalan derby We will be forced to sit tight until Matchday 16 before the first clash of the campaign between RCD Espanyol and Barcelona. The Camp Nou will play host to the first derby on 18 December, with the return fixture scheduled for the final stretch of the season on 30 April.
A dramatic final day An enticing set of games will bring the campaign to its conclusion, with regional rivals Valencia and Villarreal locking horns and Leganes and Alaves, two newly promoted clubs, meeting in a potentially pivotal clash. Atletico v Athletic, Sevilla v Osasuna and Malaga v Real Madrid are among the other standout final-day fixtures.
Other dates to note down As well as the thrilling LaLiga matches, there are some other key dates to note down that will be season-defining for several clubs: the UEFA Super Cup on 9 August, the Copa del Rey final on Saturday 27 May (this may be changed to 28 May), the Europa League final on Wednesday 24 May and the Champions League final on Saturday 3 June.
© LALIGA - 2016