MADRID — Barcelona couldn’t carry again Lionel Messi, and misplaced two different stalwarts in Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Real Madrid couldn’t signal Kylian Mbappé - thus far at the least - and noticed veteran striker Karim Benzema go away for Saudi Arabia.

The Spanish league begins this week with the title favorites dealing with a transition yr and squad adjustments that may open the door for different challengers.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid might be the staff to take benefit after conserving most gamers in a squad that supplied one of the best soccer in Spain on the finish of final season. Real Sociedad is one other outsider lurking after a robust fourth-place end.

BARCELONA’S CHANGES

Barcelona, nonetheless not absolutely wholesome financially, noticed Busquets and Alba be part of Messi at Inter Miami, but it surely introduced veteran Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City to attempt to enhance its possibilities of efficiently defending its first league title since Messi left a few years in the past.

Barcelona coach Xavi can also be more likely to preserve Ousmane Dembélé after rumors of a switch involving the France ahead quietened lately. Dembélé was one in every of Barcelona’s predominant weapons in assault final season, together with Robert Lewandowski, the league’s high scorer.

Xavi will nonetheless depend on the expertise of Pedri and Gavi, who at the moment are extra skilled and extra mature than after they debuted.

It didn’t damage Barcelona’s confidence to beat Madrid 3-0 in a preseason sport final month within the United States, when Dembélé scored one of many objectives.

“It’s always good to win a ‘clasico,’ but there’s still a lot to improve,” Xavi mentioned.

REAL MADRID’S LOSS

Madrid can be with out Benzema, final yr’s Ballon d’Or winner, for the primary time in additional than a decade. The French striker was the staff’s high participant the previous few seasons, main its assault after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

Benzema’s exit will put extra accountability on the Brazilian duo of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, who final season confirmed some indicators that they might be able to tackle larger management roles.

Spain striker Joselu got here on a mortgage from Espanyol to attempt to assist make up for Benzema’s absence, and Bellingham will add freshness to a midfield that can seemingly see the final seasons of veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Also leaving the staff have been Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Díaz.

Coach Carlos Ancelotti stayed to complete his contract regardless of repeated requires him to hitch Brazil’s nationwide staff.

OTHER CHALLENGERS

Atletico was one of many hottest groups late final season and confirmed indicators it could actually problem Barcelona and Madrid for the title.

With Simeone getting into his twelfth season with the membership, Atletico stored the core of its squad in assault and midfield, and boosted its protection with Cesar Azpilicueta and Caglar Soyuncu.

There have been doubts about whether or not João Félix would keep after a lackluster season, however the Portugal ahead appeared set to stay in an assault that once more can be led by Antoine Griezmann.

“We are excited with the start of the league,” Simeone mentioned. “We know it’s going to be very competitive.”

Sociedad, coming off its first top-four end in a decade, misplaced veteran David Silva after he retired following a critical knee damage within the offseason, but it surely added Portugal ahead André Silva and introduced again many of the squad that was close to the highest all year long final season.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis and Quique Setién’s Villarreal will hope to construct from their stable seasons a yr in the past, whereas Sevilla and Valencia look to get off to raised begins from those that left them close to the underside of the desk final season.

The groups again within the first division after promotion are Granada, Las Palmas and Alaves. They are changing relegated golf equipment Elche, Espanyol and Valladolid, owned by former Brazil star Ronaldo.

MORE ACCESS

The Spanish league this season is debuting its partnership with videogame firm EA Sports as its title sponsor, bringing new logos and audiovisual options. There can be a brand new graphics package deal, digicam angles and “a much more immersive viewing experience,” the league mentioned, “all with a nod to the EA Sports FC video game.”

Clubs that voluntarily give broadcasters extra entry to gamers and coaches will earn extra in tv rights because the league tries to reinforce followers’ viewing expertise in response to calls for from the rights holders for an improved product.

Clubs will earn greater shares of TV rights by providing “interviews with coaching staff, pre-match footage from inside changing rooms and greater involvement of players across a host of different broadcast formats,” the league mentioned.

The season’s opening match options Almeria taking part in Rayo Vallecano on Friday. Madrid visits Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Barcelona is at Getafe on Sunday and Atletico hosts Granada on Monday.

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