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Will Real Madrid be capable of retaining the title? Can FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid or Sevilla FC topple them from to the top of the table? Who are the dark horses? Here’s all you need to know about the new season, which kicks-off this weekend.
The new LaLiga Santander season is finally upon us, with CA Osasuna vs Sevilla FC (Friday, 9pm CEST) set to kick-off the 2022/23 campaign with a bang.
Real Madrid will be looking to repeat their exploits from last season. To that end, they have added Rüdiger and Tchouaméni to strengthen the defence and midfield, opening up the range of possibilities for coach Carlo Ancelotti when it comes to putting together his line-ups. Moreover, Benzema, Modric, Courtois and co. will continue to form the solid base of a team hoping to repeat their title success, something they have not achieved since 2008.
Elsewhere, Xavi Hernandez heads into his first full season in charge of his boyhood club, FC Barcelona. The revamp that his arrival on the bench gave the club must be implemented from the first matchday if Los Culés are to contend seriously for top spot, and to that end they have strengthened their squad with a number of important players: Franck Kessié, from AC Milan; Andreas Christensen, a European champion with Chelsea; Brazil international star Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski, one of the best strikers of recent times and winner of the most recent The Best and Golden Boot awards; Jules Koundé, one of the best young centre-backs in Europe; and of course to Ousmane Dembélé, who has signed a new contract with the club. A fearsome attack.
Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid have several “new” familiar faces, as the return of Álvaro Morata and Saúl Ñiguez will give Simeone more depth in his squad. Likewise with the signings of Nahuel Molina and Axel Witsel, after distinguished performances in the Serie A and Bundesliga, respectively. After his impressive end to last sason, Joao Félix will be looking to raise the bar even higher and take Atleti back to greater heights, with the help of veterans Jan Oblak, Jose Maria Giménez and Koke, who will almost certainly surpass Adelardo as the player with the most appearance in club history this season.
Sevilla FC will need to be at their best if they are to breaking into genuine title contention. For much of last season the Andalusians were Real Madrid’s main rivals in the title race, only to fall away into fourth towards the end of the season. With Julen Lopetegui heading into his fourth season in charge of the team and with Ivan Rakitic and Isco Alarcón as the star players, Sevilla FC are definitely an exciting side to look out for.
Just outside the top four, but with genuine aspiration of breaking into that top echelon of LaLiga Santander sides are Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF. The goals of Borja Iglesias, the magic of Sergio Canales and the talent of Nabil Fekir have made Pellegrini’s team a serious contender for anything that comes their way, and the addition of players such as Luiz Henrique and Luiz Felipe could give them a new lease of life. In San Sebastian, the arrivals of Brais Méndez, Momo Cho and Takefusa Kubo add to the side’s formidable exiting firepower, while the Yellow Submarine will be looking to improve on last season’s 7th placed finish and integrate new signings Jose Luis Morales and Pepe Reina as soon as possible.
Ernesto ‘El Txingurri’ Valverde’s return to Athletic Club is also worth noting. This will be his third spell in the San Mames dugout, and he will be looking to replicate the successes of the past. Also returning to a LaLiga Santander dugout is Diego Martínez, who will coach RCD Espanyol after guiding Granada CF to a place among Europe’s top teams, and Italian football legend Gennaro Gattuso, who will take charge of Valencia CF, arrives in LaLiga for the first time.
RC Celta are also a side to watch out for. Luis Campos, the experienced Portuguese coach, scout and strategist, will be in charge of the club’s sporting department with a very different vision when it comes to detecting shortcomings and strengths in the squad and in drawing up a sporting project. And trying to do something similar is Ramón Planes, who, after his time at FC Barcelona, is back in charge of Getafe CF’s sporting department to reinforce Quique Sánchez Flores’ team with players such as Portu, Angileri, Luis Milla, Seoane, Borja Mayoral and Domingos Duarte.
Thew new faces this season: UD Almería, Real Valladolid and Girona FC. Three clubs with solid and well-established projects, each with experience in LaLiga Santander and who will be tough nuts to crack.
Off the field, this season will also be very special for three clubs in particular: Elche CF, Villarreal CF and RC Celta celebrate their centenaries this campaign, a milestone achieved by very few clubs, and which highlights the trajectory and work of those responsible for the success and growth of Spanish football.
Let the games begin!
