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Madrid, Spain | THE INDEPENDENT | Barcelona hosting Athletic Bilbao will be the top fixture for Matchday 2 of the 2024-25 La Liga, while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will have potential thrillers at home to Real Valladolid and Getafe respectively.
Barca and Athletic will meet at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Montjuic hill in the early evening on Saturday, as the Catalan hosts look to implement and perfect the high-pressing strategy favoured by coach Hansi Flick.
“In some situations, we sank too deep and didn’t put pressure on the opposing player who had the ball. That cannot be and it is a problem,” said the German tactician. “We have to focus on this and press for the [whole] 90 minutes.”
The second round of La Liga matches gets underway on Friday evening, featuring a potential thriller between Sevilla and Villarreal at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium – with the visiting ‘Yellow Submarine’ hoping that Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe can find his best form and inspire a victory in Andalusia.
La Liga champions Real Madrid will be in action late on Sunday afternoon, as they welcome Real Valladolid to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The ‘Pucelanos’ coach, Paulo Pezzolano, has spoken of his team’s need to improve their concentration – especially against a team with the class and potency of ‘Los Blancos’.
“We have to work on concentration, which is vital, especially in the championship we’re playing in,” said the Uruguayan. “A minute of lack of concentration means goals against you or goals that you don’t take advantage of.”
The round closes on Sunday night with Atletico hosting Girona at the Metropolitano Stadium. The ‘Rojiblancos’ fans will get their first chance to see new striker Alexander Sorloth in a home match, with the 28-year-old Norwegian hoping to become a star for Diego Simeone’s team.
“It is a great challenge and honour to be a part of Atletico Madrid,” said the former Crystal Palace, Trabzonspor, RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad and Villarreal forward. “I cannot wait to play for this great club and vindicate the manager’s faith in me.”
Matches in details
Friday 23 August
– 19:00: Celta Vigo v Valencia
– 21:30: Sevilla v Villarreal
Saturday 24 August
– 17:00: Osasuna v Mallorca
– 19:00: Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao
– 21:30: Getafe v Rayo Vallecano
– 21:30: Espanyol v Real Sociedad
Sunday 25 August
– 17:00: Real Madrid v Real Valladolid
– 19:00: Deportivo Alaves v Real Betis
– 19:00: Leganes v Las Palmas
– 21:30: Atletico Madrid v Girona
