The 2020-21 edition of the Spanish top-flight is already underway, but we will have an added ingredient to the activity in the Spanish top-flight: defending champions Real Madrid will make their debut in this campaign at Reale Arena, where they will face Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos will not be the only team to make their debut this weekend, as Getafe (who were supposed to play against Zidane's men last week) will also have their first match of the season. Sevilla, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will keep their fans waiting until Matchday 3, the date La Liga set to see them back in action.
Valencia, Osasuna, Granada, and Betis were the only teams capable of taking three points from last week's games, and those clubs will surely try to prove their worth once more during Matchday 2. Elche, Levante, and Athletic will not be able to try and get their first wins of the season, since their games had to be postponed for the reasons mentioned above.
One of the most popular teams in La Liga is back. Let's see if that is enough reason to keep fans around the world even more interested in this competition.
Team news - Who's in and who's out?
Getafe - Filip Manojlovic (injured); Damián Suárez (doubtful).
Real Betis - Dani Martin, Victor Camarasa, Francis (injured); Antonio Sanabria, Andrés Guardado (doubtful).
Real Madrid - Eden Hazard, Lucas Vázquez, Marco Asensio, Isco, Marianor (injured); Eder Militao, Luka Jovic (doubtful).
Real Sociedad - Asier Illarramendi, Luca Sangalli, Martín Merquelanz, Martín Zubimendi (injured); Willian José, Joseba Zaldúa, Igor Zubeldía (doubtful).
Valencia - Eliaquim Mangala, Jasper Cillessen, Carlos Soler (injured); Kevin Gameiro (doubtful).
Villarreal - Alberto Moreno, Ramiro Guerra (injured); Carlos Bacca (doubtful).
Key stats ahead of Matchday 2
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Real Madrid has not lost any of their last 11 games in La Liga.
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Real Madrid has won four out of their last six away games against Real Sociedad.
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Valencia has only scored in one of their last six away games (La Liga).
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Villarreal has kept three clean sheets in a row against Eibar at home.
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Getafe has failed to score in five of their last six games in La Liga.
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Osasuna has kept five clean sheets in their last seven La Liga games against Getafe.
Player quotes ahead of Matchday 2
One of the teams that have struggled the most during the offseason is Valencia. The white and black side has been going through some tough financial times, which forced their owners to slap a price tag on all of their players. Coach Javi Gracia criticized the team's approach on this matter last week, while also urging his bosses to sign more players. Today, in a pre-match press conference, Gracia confirmed his words and left the door open for more signings.
"We had a normal meeting, we did not discuss my words from last week. What we really talked about was his intention to find suitable alternative for the team according to our needs, and I will try to focus on my day-to-day job. I will leave all transfer activity in his hands, I believe that one or two players could come," Gracia stated.
