Preview: Four things to look out for in Spain's Matchday 3-Xinhua

Preview: Four things to look out for in Spain's Matchday 3

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-08-26 19:59:45

MADRID, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The third round of matches in Spain over the coming days, will once again give us plenty to talk about at the start of the season. Here are some things to look out for in LaLiga.

1. Will the real Barca stand up?

It's been a strange start to the season for FC Barcelona, who were held at home by Rayo Vallecano in their opening game and had goalkeeper, Marc Andre Ter Stegen to thank for being level with Real Sociedad after 60 minutes last week.

However, their last 30 minutes in San Sebastian saw the arrival of Ansu Fati tear their rivals apart as they ran out 4-1 winners with some impressive football.

Barca are not going to risk Fati suffering another injury setback, so he is unlikely to play 90 minutes as Barca entertain recently promoted Valladolid on Sunday, but he could be needed if Barca have problems breaking down a rival that is likely to sit deep and look to play on the break.

2. Real Madrid to keep the good times rolling against Espanyol

Last season Real Madrid lost 2-1 away to Espanyol, suffering a rare defeat against a club they have an especially close relationship with, but it's hard to imagine Carlo Ancelotti's side slipping up this season.

Espanyol impressed in the opening day away to Celta, but conceded two soft goals, while they were outplayed by Rayo a week ago, and key striker Raul de Tomas looks to be on his way out, with Madrid a possible destination.

Real Madrid travel after destroying Celta on the break last week and despite Casemiro's departure, they look like a team that plays by memory and it's hard not to see Vinicius, Benzema and Modric giving the Espanyol defense a night to forget.

3. Valencia v Atletico promises to deliver

Atletico Madrid have had a confusing start to the campaign, winning easily against Getafe, before being comprehensively outplayed by Villarreal last weekend to put their top-four hopes in doubt.

Diego Simeone needs an immediate reaction, but will be without the injured Stefan Savic (who is vital for their defense) and new arrival Nahuel Molina.

Under Gennaro Gattuso, Valencia have changed from the side that looked to defend deep and use every dark trick in the book under Pepe Bordalas, to a team that looks to play attacking football and was impressive despite losing in Bilbao last weekend.

Valencia will miss injured striker Hugo Duro, but will look to take the game to Atletico and winger Samuel Lino, who is on loan from Atletico, will have something to prove.

4. Striker problem for Real Sociedad

Alexander Isak's departure to Newcastle for 70 million euros was clearly too good an offer for Real Sociedad to refuse, but it has left the club with a problem as they scour the market for a replacement.

The short-term problem for coach Imanol Alguacil is that he now only has 19-year-old Jon Karrikaburu as his only fit striker. Karrikaburu is considered the club's big hope for the future, but despite 11 goals in the second division last season, he has made just three first team appearances.

With only 18-year-old Mohamed Ali-Cho and Take Kubo to lend support, Saturday's visit to a well-organized Elche will show just how fast 'La Real' need to move in the transfer market.