Barca and Real set for La Liga start

Barcelona start the defence of their La Liga title on Sunday at Athletic Bilbao, the team who thrashed them 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup.

Luis Enrique’s squad appears weaker than last season’s Treble-winning selection, with Pedro and Xavi leaving.

Summer signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal cannot play until January because of a transfer ban.

Real Madrid begin their season under new boss Rafael Benitez with a match away to newly promoted Sporting Gijon.

They sacked Carlo Ancelotti after finishing two points behind Barca and exiting in the Champions League semi-final.

Benitez’s major outfield signings have been right-back Danilo from Porto and midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan.

Source: Reuters