games of the La Liga season on Sunday when they travel to Villarreal
and Real Sociedad respectively.
Luis Enrique enjoyed a trouble free debut as Barca boss last weekend
as the Catalans eased past Elche 3-0 despite having Javier Mascherano
sent-off towards the end of the first-half.
Lionel Messi looked back to his best as he scored twice, whilst
18-year-old Munir El Haddadi impressed on his debut as he also
registered his first senior goal for the club.
Croatian international Ivan Rakitic also made his competitive debut at
the Camp Nou and has already taken to playing alongsideMessi.
"I don't need to talk about him, we already know he is the best in the
world," he said on Thursday.
"I thank God that I am able to play in the same team as him.
"I am enjoying the chance to play with the best players in the world.
I want to make the most of this opportunity and the good performances
motivate me even more.
"The most important thing is that we get better. There have been a lot
of changes in all positions, but you will see a continuos
improvement."
Despite his star turn last weekend, Munir is likely to drop to the
bench as Brazilian star Neymar has returned to training following a
sprained ankle which ruled him out against Elche.
Gerard Pique also returns from suspension and is expected to replace
the banned Mascherano.
Madrid were less convincing in seeing off newly promoted Cordoba 2-0
on Monday and have also seen two key members of the side that won the
Champions League last season.
Angel di Maria has completed his British transfer record transfer to
Manchester United, whilst Xabi Alonso is on the verge of a shock move
to Bayern Munich.
However, World and European Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo
believes summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos can fill the
void left by Di Maria and Alonso.
"If this Real Madrid is better or worse than last year we will see at
the end of the season," the Portuguese captain told Madrid sports
daily Marca.
"You can buy the 40 best players in the world and it doesn't
necessarily make you a great team.
"I am not saying that the players Real Madrid have bought aren't top
players. They are great players and are going to help Real Madrid, but
the overall result comes at the end of the season.
"We will see if we win more or less than last season, but I am
convinced that things will go well for them individually and for us at
a collective level."
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti blamed tiredness for his side's below par
display against Cordoba after two draining Spanish Super Cup ties
against Atletico Madrid, but Real will have the advantage of a free
midweek before travelling to San Sebastian to face Sociedad.
The hosts, meanwhile, will have just returned from an arduous journey
to Russia as they faced FK Krasnodar in the Europa League on Thursday.
Champions Atletico also paid for their exertions in the Super Cup as
they were held in the opening game of their La Liga defence in a drab
0-0 draw at local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
However, they will be heavy favourites to secure their first win of
the campaign when they host tiny Basque club Eibar, who beat Sociedad
last weekend to celebrate their first ever match in the Spanish top
flight in style.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Getafe v Almeria (1800), Valencia v Malaga (2000)
Saturday
Cordoba v Celta Vigo (1600), Athletic Bilbao v Levante (1600),
Atletico Madrid v Eibar (1900), Espanyol v Sevilla (2100)
Sunday
Villarreal v Barcelona (1600), Deportivo la Coruna v Rayo Vallecano
(1800), Real Sociedad v Real Madrid (1800), Elche v Granada (2000)
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