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Yesterday, a long-awaited Spanish championship ("La Liga") started with three matches. Today and tomorrow, the remaining seven matches will be played. EuroFootball.com provides you with previews of these matches.
Sunday
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Start at 20:30 Lithuanian time
These matches could finally be the debut for "Sevilla" defender Pablo Ruiz. The 23-year-old Spaniard, representing the Sevilla club for 14 years, is likely to replace the club's veteran Pablo Alfaro in the starting lineup, as the Spanish Football Federation has suspended the latter. Both teams are not plagued by injuries, and the coaches will be able to select the optimal lineups.
- Madrid
Start at 20:30 Lithuanian time
These matches will certainly be one of the most interesting matches of the round. "Mallorca" will as always try to trouble the Madrid team, but they may find it difficult to do so without their former year's leader, Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, who moved to "Barcelona". Last year, Mallorca lost 1-3 in a match at the San Moix stadium, but many remember the return match in Madrid, which Mallorca won 3-2.
In the first matches of the Spanish championship season, the new "Real" coach Jose Antonio Camacho will have to deal with a wave of injuries affecting the club. Due to a knee injury suffered in the match against "Wisla," the new "Real" center-back Walter Samuel will not be able to represent the royal club. Meanwhile, another new signing for the Madrid club, center-back Jonathan Woodgate, has not yet recovered from a foot injury. This means that we will likely see a "Real" defensive line (R.Carlos; Raul Bravo/Mejia, Pavon; Salgado) that was very leaky last season. Of course, Camacho may decide to place Ivan Helguera in the center of defense, but that would limit David Beckham's offensive capabilities, as his partner would be Gutis, who is not known for his defensive abilities.
Meanwhile, Camacho will have fewer problems selecting forwards. It is believed that the new "Real" acquisition Michael Owen will start the match, while another "Real" star, Brazilian Ronaldo, will begin on the bench. On the other hand, Camacho may decide to play with three attacking midfielders and one forward. In that case, we would likely see Ronaldo in the attack, followed by Zidane, Figo, and Raul.
"Mallorca," despite losing their star Eto'o and coach Luis Aragones, who became the coach of the Spanish national team, strengthened over the summer with a few players. The new club coach Benito Floro acquired Francisco Farinos and loaned Jorge Lopez from "Valencia." The club also strengthened with a twenty-year-old goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.
Pamplona -
Start at 20:30 Lithuanian time
The Pamplona team always found it difficult to play at home against "Athletic." This time may not be any different, but "Osasuna" captain Cesar Cruchaga stated that he and his teammates will take to the field to "fight for every inch of the pitch." "Athletic" coach Ernesto Valverde will likely replace the injured defender Mari Lacruz with Carlos Gurpegi, who usually played as a midfielder, but the coach decided that this midfielder has the necessary qualities to replace the injured Lacruz. In this match, Pablo Orbaiz will return after an injury.
San Sebastian - Valencia
Start at 20:30 Lithuanian time
"Real Sociedad" forward Darko Kovacevic hopes to forget the failures of the previous season and score a goal against the league newcomer "Levante." In the past two seasons, the San Sebastian club seemed like two different teams - two years ago, "Real Sociedad" finished second to Madrid's "Real" in the fight for the Spanish champions title, while last year they narrowly avoided relegation from the highest Spanish league.
This season promises to be the last one for "Real Sociedad" veteran Valeri Karpin, but the Russian veteran said he does not intend to secure a place in the starting lineup if he does not feel worthy of it. This has given hope to Xabi Prieto, who will fight with the club's veteran for a place in the starting lineup. "Real Sociedad" will no longer see Xabier Alonso, the club symbol for the past few years, who moved to "Liverpool."
After 39 years, "Levante" returned to the top Spanish league, and the team should have Bittor Alkiza back from injury.
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Start at 20:30 Lithuanian time
Playing in "La Liga" for the first time in its history, "Getafe" does not have high illusions. The third-league Madrid club, certainly not able to boast a budget like "Atletico" or "Real," promises to work hard and fight for every victory.
In this match against the winners of the Spanish Cup and Super Cup, the "Zaragoza" players, "Getafe" will be led by their best summer signing Francisco Gallardo. In attack, we will likely see the most productive last season's club forward Valentin Pachon and the new signing Jorge Yordi, who moved to "Getafe" from the "Zaragoza" team. Defender Cosmin Contra's transfer from "Atletico" seems to have not yet been sorted out, so we will not see him in the match. "Getafe" will also have to manage without the injured Quique Medina, Alberto Ruiz, and Daniel Cordero.
In the ranks of "Zaragoza," the most productive player of last season, David Villa, who scored 17 goals, will likely be partnered by former "Alaves" player Javi Moreno, who managed to shine in the Super Cup final against the "Valencia" team. The Zaragoza coach will have to let the backup goalkeeper Luis Garcia guard the goal, as the main goalkeeper Cesar Lainez suffered an injury.
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Start at 22:30 Lithuanian time
Three Brazilians will not be able to help the Catalonia club in this match: the injured Ronaldinho, suspended Edmilson, and Sylvinho, who did not have time to settle his citizenship documents. It is worth mentioning that "Racing" was the team that beat "Barca" 3-0, ending their impressive 17-game unbeaten streak.
Monday
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Start at 22:30 Lithuanian time
These matches were postponed because "Valencia" played in the European Super Cup final, where they beat last season's Champions League winners, the "Porto" players, 1-2.
This encounter is often called a derby because "Villareal" and "Valencia" are only about 40 kilometers apart. "Valencia" coach Claudio Ranieri, living with the mood of victory, will be able to rely on the defensive abilities of Roberto Ayala, who returned from the Olympics. Strengthened over the summer, "Valencia" will surely do everything to defend their champion's title.
In the ranks of "Villareal," we will likely see the forward Diego Forlan, acquired from "Man Utd."
