2010/2011 La Liga fixtures announced – Barca and Real to kick off away from home

The Spanish Football Federation has released the fixtures for their premier competition La Liga which will transpire over the course of thirty eight weeks.

Champions Barcelona will begin their title defence away from home as Racing Santander play hosts. Real Madrid will also be playing the part of guests as they will face Real Mallorca at the ONO Estadi. To add extra flavour to the fixture Madrid legend Michael Laudrup is now in charge of the islanders as he seeks to get one over on his former employers.

The opening games will begin on the final weekend of August as Spanish fans look forward to yet another exciting campaign. With the feel good factor well and truly in full swing in Southern Europe thanks to Spain’s heroics in South Africa fans are eagerly awaiting the big kick off.

With the country’s top two clubs beginning their title quest on the road, as too are Valencia and Sevilla who make up Spain’s quartet of Champions League participants this season. Here are the opening games to commence on the 29^th August:

The biggest game in club football will take place at the end of November. ‘El Clasico’ – between Real and Barcelona wets the appetite of any football poet who marvels at the exuberant skill and flair on display surrounded by its theatrical atmosphere. Not to mention Jose Mourinho’s antics as Madrid’s new coach. The Nou Camp will stage the first game with the second taking place in the middle of April in the countries capital.

Barcelona’s new signing David Villa who helped spearhead his nations triumph in South Africa has revealed that the chance take part in the famous match was one of the prime reasons he opted to move to Catalonia.

“Playing in such a game is what every player wants to achieve.” said Villa.

“I am eager to taste the atmosphere. It’s an important game for any player. It’s part of the reason players come to Barcelona.”

Despite the significant gap between The Blaugrana and Los Blancos with the other eighteen outfits it does look a much more difficult task for those to bridge the gap on the two giants as they have both added to their squads once again. David Villa being one who has left the Mestella for the Nou Camp as well as David Silva departing for English shores with Manchester City. That seriously weakens Valencia’s prospects as they needed to sell their two stars to help ease crippling debts. Real Madrid has paid a vast amount of money for the services of Angel di Maria and are still in the hunt for another marquee signing.

Spain’s World Cup winners are yet to begin their pre-season as they continue to recuperate following their exploits last month.  With the country’s football sitting undisputedly at the top of the world game it will be interesting to see how events unfold domestically.