MADRID, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The new LaLiga season kicks off in Spain this weekend and once again it looks as if it will be Real Madrid and FC Barcelona against the rest: here are some things to keep an eye out for in the first round of games.
1 Will we notice changes to rules?
The referees in LaLiga have been instructed to ensure that time wasting is clamped down on, even if it means adding on over 10 minutes of injury time at the end of 90 minutes.
This looks to be a continuation of last season when it was normal to see 5 or 6 minutes at the end of a match and should be a positive step to ensure fans get value for money.
There are also instructions to give fewer penalties for 'soft' accidental handballs in the penalty area - something that has long been a source of controversy and something that is sure to provide a headache in the VAR room.
2 What can we expect from FC Barcelona?
FC Barcelona activated another "economic lever" on Thursday and sold 24 percent of Barca Studios (meaning they have sold 49 percent of that their audiovisual production unit), in order to be able to inscribe its summer signings, Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Andres Christensen and Franck Kessie into its squad, along with Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto, who renewed their contracts in July.
Barca's pre-season has been positive on the pitch, with Lewandowski and Raphinha offering more options in attack, while Kessie has been quietly impressive.
Xavi's side kicks off the season with a relatively straightforward home game against Rayo Vallecano, who nevertheless won in the Camp Nou last season.
After last season's disappointments, Barca really need to hit the ground with a win.
3 Which Atletico Madrid will we see in Getafe?
Atletico Madrid will start the season as the main alternative to Real Madrid and Barca, despite disappointing last season.
One thing coach Diego Simeone has to decide is how he wants his team to play: Atletico have an abundance of talent, but too often after setbacks, Simeone slips back into defensive mode. With players such as Angel Correa, Antoine Griezmann, Mathias Cunha, Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata, he has energy and talent in attack, with Morata able to press more than the departed Luis Suarez.
Perhaps Joao Felix will be the key player this season: after three years in Spain in which he has shown moments of brilliance, this has to be the season the Portuguese player becomes a leader.
4 Villarreal to spoil Asenjo's return home
Sergio Asenjo's move to Valladolid from Villarreal saw the veteran goalkeeper's career come full circle as he returned to the club where he began his long career.
Fate would have it that Asenjo's first match back at Valladolid is against his last club in a tough test for the newly promoted outfit.
Villarreal finished seventh in LaLiga last season, but reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. With just the Conference League to distract it this time around, Villarreal coach Unai Emery will focus more on domestic issues and although the squad has only had minor adjustments, this is a chance to show they are top-four candidates this time around. ■
