One more La Liga season kicks off on Friday, with Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid trying to put an end to Barcelona's dominance. Both teams from the Spanish capital have invested a nice amount of money to fight for the title, but the revamped offensive unit Los culés will have will make things even more interesting.
The Spanish top-flight lived some scary moments in the days leading to the kickoff, since teams threatened to go on strike due to pending TV rights and the scheduling of all matchdays. Fortunately for fans around the world, Matchday 1 will get underway on Friday, with Athletic Club hosting the defending champions, Barcelona.
All action will be evenly distributed throughout the weekend, as Real Madrid gets ready to lock horns against Celta on Saturday. The other title contender, Atlético Madrid, will put an end to Matchday 1 when they host Getafe at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
With that in mind, let's get to know what are the main talking points before the start of the 2019-20 Spanish top-flight.
Team news - Who's in, who's out?
Barcelona will begin their quest for a three-peat without Lionel Messi. The Argentine ace picked up a calf injury on the first day of training, and he is expected to be out until the last days of August. Elsewhere, Real Madrid may be without Marco Asensio for the entire 2019-20 season due to a knee injury, while new boy Rodrygo may miss this game due to muscular problems. As for Atlético Madrid, Diego Costa and Ángel Correa carry a ban from last season, which will forbid them from playing the first game of the season.
Coach's quotes ahead of Matchday 1
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde spoke ahead of the first clash of the season, which will see Los culés facing his former team, Athletic. The Spanish tactician believes that his team has been handed a tough match to begin with, especially with the summer transfer window still open.
Valverde: "Starting at San Mamés is complicated. We know the potential of Athletic Club. They've maintained the dynamics of last year and we will have to be focused" pic.twitter.com/mhYLkLsesx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 15, 2019
Key historical stats ahead of La Liga's Matchday 1
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Barcelona will try to win a third title in a row for the second time in the 21st Century. Los Blaugranas accomplished that feat from 2008 to 2011, when Pep Guardiola managed the Blaugrana side.
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Real Betis' Joaquín is the only active player with over 500 La Liga games. If he is able to play the entire 2019-20 La Liga season, he will jump to the second spot behind legendary goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta.
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Barcelona is one win away from winning their 600th La Liga game under the three-point system.
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Only nine teams have been able to win the La Liga title since its creation in 1929. Out of those, only Deportivo La Coruña will not be able to make a run for it,as they are currently in the Spanish Segunda División.
What is social media talking about ahead of Matchday 1?
Messi may not be around to play the first match in La Liga, but he is surely making progress in his recovery. Social media users saw the footballer's jaw-dropping workout regime en route to recovery, and we just needed to share it with you.
Beware @LaLiga defences, Leo Messi is aiming to come back stronger than ever pic.twitter.com/Pc0VvEhxsG
— OTRO (@OTRO) August 15, 2019
La Liga - Matchday 1 games
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