MADRID, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) — LaLiga gets underway with Spain suffering its third heatwave of the summer and with most clubs still looking to put the finishing touches to their squads. Here are four things to look out for as football is back in Spain.
1. Long matches lasting well over 90 minutes.
Prepare to engage with games that stretch beyond 90 minutes in the initial weeks of the new season. Spain’s ongoing heatwave requires hydration pauses during both halves, immediately adding an approximate four to five minutes to the game duration. Moreover, referees, with new directives to compensate for play interruptions, substitutions, and delays, are expected to add at least an additional five to six minutes following the second half.
All of this suggests matches might approach 100 minutes before regular play durations stabilize.
2. All eyes on Bellingham debut
Jude Bellingham, acquired in this summer’s most significant transfer move, has cost Real Madrid over 100 million euros to sign him from Borussia Dortmund. The English midfielder is anticipated to enhance Real Madrid’s lineup in their forthcoming match against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday evening. Bellingham, known for his vision, stamina, and goal-scoring abilities, could introduce a new dynamic to the team, especially in the noticeable absence of Karim Benzema’s link-up play.
While Athletic will compete without defender Inigo Martinez, now with FC Barcelona, there’s hope that Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta will stabilize the midfield, and that Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet will invigorate the forward line.
3. Courtois loss a huge blow to Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s preparations for Saturday’s game (and the rest of the season) suffered a huge setback on Thursday when Thibaut Courtois broke his cruciate knee ligament, with the club informing that he will have an operation in the coming days.
Courtois has saved Real Madrid many times since arriving in 2018 and his injury arrives without the club having a reliable backup. Substitute keeper Andriy Lunin disappointed when he stood in for Courtois last season and Real Madrid had hoped to sell him over the summer, only for Lunin to dig his heels in and stay.
The Ukrainian keeper now looks likely to start in the San Mames Stadium and Athletic will view that as something that could help them kick off the season with an upset.
4. Barca will have to dig deep for a win in Getafe.
FC Barcelona are running out of time to find the money to be able to inscribe players such as Alejandro Balde, Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu into the squad for the weekend opener away to Getafe and if they can’t meet financial fair-play requirements before then, coach Xavi Hernandez will have to use B-team players.
Getafe are likely to be difficult opponents and with Jose Bordalas remaining in the dugout, they will use every tactic they can to break up Barca’s play, run the clock down and stop their passing game.
Expect a dry pitch and lots of stoppages in a match where being effective from set pieces could be vital.