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Pre-season Fixtures

As usual there will be an intensive programme of pre-season matches, starting in June and going on beyond the 23rd August, when the league season begins again this year. We set out below the most important games involving La Liga clubs, and will be publishing regular updates when more information is known. NB. Games completed in red, pending in blue, changes since our last report highlighted in bold. See also friendly fixtures section for sundry matches which are taking place during the league season. (28.08.14)

22 May - 2 Jun

LFP World Challenge
First part of LFP's 3 year plan to promote La Liga, which involves Spanish teams playing opponents all over the world.

Started with two matches involving Sevilla in Asia:
22/05 (Indonesia). Bandung 0 - Sevilla 4 (Trochowski, Iborra 2, Coke pen);
26/05 (Malaysia). Selangor 0 - Sevilla (Trochowski, Diogo).

Then triangular tournament between Valencia, Villarreal and Hong Kong Rangers, 28/05. Valencia were the winners.
HK Rangers 1 - Valencia 3 (Oscar / Vinicius, Parejo, Alcácer);
Valencia 1 - Villarreal 0 (Alcácer pen);
HK Rangers 1 - Villarreal 1 (Lam / Pablo).

Finally Villarreal went on to play two exhibition games in China, 31/05 vs Guangzhou Fuli. and 02/06 vs Shanghai Shenxin. See also below for other games organized later this summer.

13 - 23 Jun World Cup, Brazil
Spain's participation in this summer's World Cup was short lived, Del Bosque's side getting knocked out at the group stage after losing their first two matches. Results:
13/06. Spain 1 - Holland 5 (Alonso pen / Van Persie 2, Robben 2, De Vrij);
18/06. Spain 0 - Chile 2 (Vargas, Aránguiz);
23/06. Australia 0 - Spain 3 (Villa, Torres, Mata).
See separate section for details.
12 Jul - 28 Aug Real Sociedad summer programme
Had to start early this season as playing in previous qualfying rounds of Europa League. Start locally with game against Tolosa 12/07, W 0-2 (Agirretxe, Iñigo). Then based in Ermelo, Holland, with matches against Ajax 19/07, L 3-1 (Finnbogason), Feyenoord 23/07, D 1-1 (Xabi Prieto), and NEC Nijmegan 26/07, W 0-1 (Canales). Played first Europa League qualifier against Aberdeen 31/07 (H), W 2-0 (Zurutuza, Canales), and 07/08 (A), W 2-3 (Xabi Prieto 2, 1 pen, Markel). Other games against Alavés 03/08 (A), L 3-1 (Sergio Llamas, Juanma, Benito / Agirretxe), Newcastle 10/08 (A), L 1-0 (Sissoko), Chelsea 12/08 (A), L 2-0 (Diego Costa 2), and Eibar (in Zarautz) 15/08, W 1-0 (Agirretxe). Qualified for play-off round of Europa League, but were knocked out by FC Krasnodar 21/08 (H) W 1-0 (Prieto), and 28/08 (A) L 3-0 - see separate section.
12 Jul - 27 Aug Athletic Bilbao summer programme
Started with warm up game against a local selection in Getxo 12/07, W 0-4 (Kike Sola 2, Laporte, Viguera), then travelled to Saaldafen Austria to train and play 3 matches. Started against Al-Hilal in Worgl 19/07, W 0-3 (Beñat, Aduríz 2) , followed by Paderborn 23/07, W 1-2 (Ibai Gómez, Viguera), Werder Bremen 27/07, D 2-2 (Aduríz, Susaeta), and Benfica (in Friburg) 31/07, W 2-0 (Aduríz, Beñat). Returned home to play Toulouse in Bayonne 02/08, L 2-0, then Osasuna (A) 06/08, L 3-1 (Javi Flaño, De las Cuevas, Loties / Ibai Gómez), Borussia Mönchengladbach (A) 09/08, W 1-3 (Aduríz 3), and Olympiacos (A) 13/08, D 0-0. Had Champions League qualifier against Napoli 19/08 (A), D 1-1 (Higuaín / Muniain) & 27/08 (H), W 3-1 (Aduríz 2, Ibai) either side of the opening weekend for the league.
15 Jul - 12 Aug Valencia summer programme
Spending first few days in Herzogenaurach, Germany, with fixtures against Bayreuth 15/07, W 1-5 (Viera 2, Piatti, Javi Fuego, Michel), and Nuremburg 19/07, L 3-1 (Viera). Taking part in the Copa Euroamerica his summer together with 12 other teams (including Atlético), playing two matches in South America against Perú's Alianza Lima 26/07, D 2-2 (Alcácer, Otamendi), and Chile's Universidad Católica 29/07, L 1-0. Invited to take part in Arsenal's Emirates Cup which they won, playing Monaco 02/08, D 2-2 (Carvalho og, Alcácer), and Benfica 03/08, W 3-1 (Gayá, Piatti, Guardado), then went back to UK to play Manchester United in Old Trafford, 12/08, L 2-1 (Fletcher, Fellaini / Rodrigo). Last pre-season game was their own "Trofeo Naranja" against AC Milan 17/08, W 2-1 (Alcácer, Rodrigo / Honda).
17 Jul - 15 Aug Betis summer programme
Arranging up to 11 games pre-season in preparation for a year or so in the 2nd division. Began training at San Pedro de Pinatar, Murcia, with matches against Brighton 17/07, W 1-3 (Mackail-Smith / Castro, Casado, Sergio Rodríguez), Cartagena 20/07, W 1-3 (Vadillo, Castro, Rennella) and Elche 22/07, L 1-2 (Casado / José Angel, Fajr). Visited regional teams Sanluqueño 25/07, W 0-2 (Molina pen, Rennella), Isla Cristina 26/07, W 1-4 (Jordi, Castro 2, Isuardi), and Marbella 31/07, L 2-1 (Molina), and then off to UK to play Motherwell 02/08, W 0-3 (Castro, Cedrick, Rennella), Stoke City 06/08, L 2-0 (Pieters, Bojan), and Sunderland 07/08, L 2-0 (Fletcher, Wickham). Returned to Spain to play at home to Fiorentina 11/08 (presentation match), L 1-2 (Matilla / Vargas, El Hadji), and then visited Recreativo 15/08, W 1-2 (Nuñez / Cejudo, Castro).
18 Jul - 14 Aug Granada summer programme
Training as usual in La Manga, Murcia, with fixtures against regional opposition Almuñecar 18/07, W 0-8 (Sulayman, Machis, El-Arabi, Piti, Ortuño, Clifford, Buonanotte pen, Babín), La Hoya Lorca 25/07, W 0-2 (Ortuño 2), and Albacete 30/07, D 2-2 (Chumbi, Henares / Isaac Success, El-Arabi). Also played Recreativo (in Lepe) 04/08, W 0-2 (El-Arabi, Machís), and organized last minute tour in Germany, with matches against Cologne 08/08, W 0-1 (El-Arabi pen), and Mainz '05 10/08, W 0-1 (Ortuño). Ended with presentation match 14/08 against Morrocco's Atlético Tetuán, W 4-1 (Machís, El-Arabi, Babín 2).
18 Jul - 16 Aug Sevilla summer programme
Pre-season training began as always in Rota, Costa Ballena, where they stayed from 9-18 July, playing an opener on the last day against regional league side Roteña, W 2-5 (Fazio, Vitolo, Navarro, Cicinho, Juan Muñoz). Undertake a tour of Europe, with games against Olympique Lyon 23/07, D 0-0, Eintracht Braunschweig 24/07, W 1-2 (Juan Muñoz, Hedestand og), Union Berlin 27/07, L 2-1 (Jairo), Hertha Berlin 31/07, W 0-2 (Krychowiak, Muñoz), and Fenerbahce (in Rotterdam) 02/08, W 2-0 (Aleix Vidal, Iago Aspas). Hosted VII Antonio Puerta trophy 08/08 against newly promoted neighbours Córdoba, which they won 2-0 (Denís Suárez, Bacca). Took part in the Euopean Supercup 12/08 as Europa League champions, meeting Champions League winners Real Madrid in Cardiff, L 2-0 (Ronaldo 2) - see separate section for more. Ended pre-season playing in Cádiz's Carranza trophy, with games against Sampdoria 15/08, L 0-2, and Cádiz 16/08, W 0-3 (Krychowiak, Denis Suárez, Aleix Vidal) - see below for more.
19 Jul Colombino trophy, Huelva
Different format and earlier date to celebrate 50th edition of tournament, this time played in a single match between hosts Recreativo and FC Barcelona. Barça's international players were still on vacation, and the Catalans turned up with a squad made up mainly of B team players. However they still won 0-1, Joan Román getting the only goal after a good run by Deulofeu to give them the trophy for the first time in their history.
19 Jul - 16 Aug Rayo Vallecano summer programme
Kick-off at local neighbours Alcalá 19/07, D 2-2 (Alex Moreno, Manucho), then pre-season training at San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, with matches in local arena against Granada B 23/07, W 2-1 (Trashorras 2), Cartagena 25/07, W 3-1 (Bueno, Morcillo, Trahorras), and Murcia 27/07, L 3-1 (Iván Moreno, Acciari, Javi Muñoz / Pozuelo). Visited local rivals Alcorcón 02/08, W 0-1 (Parla), and Leganés 06/08, D 2-2 (Peña, Moreno pen / Bueno, Pozuelo pen), then played Cesena in Italy 09/08, D 1-1 (Bueno), and were invited to Valladolid's presentation match, 16/08, L 2-1 (Jeffren, Roger pen / Aquino).
19 Jul - 16 Aug Elche summer programme
Started off locally, with games at Eldense 19/07, W 0-2 (José Angel, Tamayo), then Betis (at Pinatar Arena) 22/07, W 1-2 (Casado / José Angel, Fajr), and Alcoyano (A) 26/07, D 1-1 (Pasalic). Hosted their own Festa D'Elx trophy against Villarreal on 30/07, D 1-1 (Pelegrín / Cheyshev), 7-6 pso, and visited Albacete 02/08, D 2-2 (César Díaz, Portu / Aarón, Albacar). Home to Morocco's Raja Club Athletic 09/08, W 2-1 (Enzo Roco, Cristian Herrera), and invited to play at Levante13/08, D 0-0, and finished off participating in Tenerife's Teide trophy 17/08, W 0-2 (Pelegrín, Alvaro).
19 Jul - 18 Aug Barcelona summer programme
No long distance tour for Barça this summer as Luis Enrique's side try to win back their titles. First pre-season match 19/07, taking part in Recreativo's Colombino trophy, which they won 0-1 (Joan Román) - see above for more. Then travelled to play OGC Nice 02/08, D 1-1 (Xavi pen), and Napoli 06/08 (in Geneva), L 1-0 (Dzmaili), followed by match at HJK Helsinki 09/08, W 0-6 (Munir 2, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Bartra, Sandro). Hosted their annual Gamper trophy 18/08, with Club León (Mexico) as the invited guests, Luis Suárez's first game in a Barça shirt after his ban was partially lifted. W 6-0 (Messi, Neymar 2, Munir 2, Sandro).
20 Jul - 17 Aug Espanyol summer programme
Returned to Garos, Val d'Aran to begin training 13-21 July, with warm-up game against Val d'Aran selection 20/07, W 0-14 (Sergio García 5, Lanzarote 2, Duarte, Alfonso 3, Tejera 2, Mattioni).Played El Raja in Marakesh 27/07, D 1-1 (Sergio García), but called off possible trip to UK. Instead they arranged local games at Llagostera 02/08, W 1-2 (Querol / Cristian Alfonso, Mattioni) and Girona 05/08, L 2-1 (Jandro, Mata / Víctor Sánchez), and were invited to take part in Tenerife's Teide trophy 09/08, W 0-1 (Caicedo). Agreed further matches at regional rivals Olot 14/08, D 1-1 (Jairo), and Sabadell 16/08, L 1-0 (Tamudo), and hosted Ciudad de Barcelona trophy 17/08 against Italian side Genoa, D 0-0, W 5-4 pso.
22 Jul - 16 Aug Deportivo summer programme
Another of the teams taking part in the LFP World Challenge, with matches in Colombia against Independiente de Santa Fé 22/07, L 1-0, and against Cali 24/07, L 3-1 (Bergantiños). Returned to Europe afterwards to play Portugal's Académica Coimbra (A) 31/07, D 0-0, and Sporting Braga (A) 02/08, L 1-0, and then 2B side Racing Ferrol (in Monforte de Lemos), W 2-0 (Fariña, Toché). Hosted their prestigious Teresa Herrera trophy 9/10 Aug which they won - see below for details. Organized a "duelo gallego" against local rivals Celta 13/08 in Pontevedra, L 0-2 (Nolito, Larrivey), and visited Ponferradina 16/08, L 3-2 (Yuri, Pablo Infante, Sobrino / Juan Domínguez, Toché).
22 Jul - 13 Aug Levante summer programme
Opened pre-season at regional neighbours Teruel 22/07, W 0-5 (Pedro López 3, Xumetra, Ivanschitz), then went to Ermelo, Holland, with fixtures against Vitesse 26/07, D 1-1 (Barral), Barendrecht 29/07, W 1-2 (Morales, Casadesús), Heerenveen 02/08, W 0-1 (Casadesús), and Den Haag 03/08, L 2-0. Returned to Spain to play Albacete (A) 09/08, L 2-0 (Chumbi, Rubén Cruz), then presentation match at home against Elche, 13/08, D 0-0.
22 Jul - 17 Aug Almería summer programme
Back from vacations on 10 July, with fixtures at Aguilas 22/07, W 0-5 (Puertas, Hemed 2, 1 pen, Dangda 2), and UCAM Murcia 25/07, W 1-2 (Verza pen, Dangda). Organised a trip to Thailand as part of the LFP World Challenge, playing Muangthong United in Bangkok 30/07, D 1-1 (Zongo) and Phuket FC 06/08, W 1-3 (Hemed, Quique, Zongo). Back to Spain to visit Albacete 13/08, W 1-2 (Coutinho / Zongo, Edgar), and hosted presentation match against Córdoba 17/08, D 1-1 (Hemed / Fidel pen).
23 Jul - 16 Aug Getafe summer programme
Back in training on 9 July, starting in Segovia. Then on to Germany to play Leipzig 23/07, W 2-3 (Alvaro Vázquez 2, Astray), Greuther Fürth 25/07, L 3-2 (Alvaro Vázquez 2), Eintracht Bamberg 27/07, W 1-2 (Lafita, Sammir), and Stuttgart 29/07, W 1-2 (Colunga, Michel Herrero). Returned to Spain to play Gimnastica Segovia 05/08, W 0-3 (Sarabia, Xavi og, Hinestroza), and visited Cagliari in Sardinia 09/08, W 1-3 (Alexis, Alvaro Vázquez 2). Finally participated in two presentation games, against Mallorca 13/08, L 2-1 (Fofo, Joao Víctor / Freddy), and against Sporting Gijón, 16/08, D 0-0, L 4-3 pso.
23 Jul - 22 Aug Atlético Madrid summer programme
Training locally as usual in Los Angeles de San Rafael, ending with a first friendly game against Numancia 23/07, W 0-1 (Héctor). Then travelled to America (without most of their World Cup players) to participate once again in Euroamericana Cup (Valencia, Monaco & Fiorentina also taking part from Europe), with matches against San José Earthquakes 28/07, D 0-0, and América de Mexico 31/07, D 0-0. Returned to Europe to visit Galatasaray 06/08, D 0-0, and Wolfsburg 10/08, W 1-5 (Raúl García 2, Mandzukic pen, Koke, Héctor), and took part in Cádiz's Carranza trophy 15-16/08 which they won, beating the hosts 0-1 (Raúl García) and Sampdoria 2-0 (Saúl, Giménez - see below for more details). Participated in the Spanish Supercup again this summer, this time as league champions, with games against cup winners Real Madrid 19/08 (A), D 1-1 (James / Raúl García) and 22/08 (H), W 1-0 (Mandzukic). See below for details.
26 Jul - 28 Aug Villarreal summer programme
Training locally at first, with friendlies arranged at regional side Reus 26/07, W 0-2 (Uche, Espinosa), and at Elche (Trofeo Festa d'Elx) 30/07, D 1-1 (Pelegrín / Cheyshev), 7-6 pso. Then off for short tour of England, with games confirmed at Middlesborough 02/08, W 0-2 (Gerard Moreno, Nahuel), and Swansea 09/08, W 0-3 (Uche, Bruno, Cheryshev). Returned to host "Trofeo Cerámica" against Italy's Sassuola, 14/08, W 4-2 (Uche, Espinosa, Vietto, Gerard), and then invited to Zaragoza's Carlos Lapetra trophy 17/08, W 1-2 (Adán / Uche, Espinosa). Played Europa League qualifier against Astana (Kazakhstan), 21/08 (A), W 0-3 (Cani, Gio, Mario), and 28/08 (H), W 4-0 (Vietto 2, Bruno pen, Nahuel) - see separate section.
26 Jul - 15 Aug Eibar summer programme
Newly promoted side building up to their first season in the top flight, starting with games at regional sides UD Logroñés 26/07, W 0-3 (Angel 2, Iñigo) and Barakaldo 30/07, W 0-2 (Errasti, Iriarte). Then go up a level to play Racing Santander (in Bergara) 02/08, W 2-1 (Arruabarrena, Dani Nieto / Rubén Durán), and Numancia (A) 06/08, L 2-1 (Natalio, Gerrit / Iriarte), and then Valladolid (in Palencia) 09/08, W 0-1 (Dani Nieto). Played Alavés in their presentation match in Ipurúa 12/08, L 0-4 (Sangalli, Galán, Juli, Barreiro), and ended with fixtures against Real Sociedad (in Asti, Zarautz) 15/08, L 1-0 (Agirretxe), and Osasuna (in Tafalla) 16/08, W 0-2 (Albentosa, Arruabarrena).
26 Jul - 16 Aug Celta summer programme
Training in Marbella 13-25 July, with a trip to Algeria to play Constantine 26/07, L 1-0. Then returned to Galicia to play regional side Rápido Bouzas (in Barreiro) 29/07, W 1-7 (Larrivey 3, Cabral, Yelko, Charles, Madinda). After that they made a brief tour of England, with games at Norwich 01/08, D 2-2 (Grabban 2 / Nolito, Krohn-Dehli), Wolves 02/08, D 1-1 (Dicko / Larrivey), Burnley 05/08, D 2-2 (Jutkiewicz 2 / Alex López, Nolito), and Everton 06/08, W 1-3 (McGeady / Nolito 3). Arranged Galician derby against Deportivo in Pontevedra 13/08, W 0-2 (Nolito, Larrivey), and ended with their own Quinocho trophy against Cagliari 16/08, W 4-0 (Santi Mina, Cabral, Orellana pen, Nolito).
26 Jul - 16 Aug Valladolid summer programme
Tightening their belts this summer after relegation to 2nd division. First friendlies in Galicia, against Pontevedra 26/07, W 0-3 (Roger, Bergdich 2), and Cultural Areas 27/07, W 1-3 (Anuar, Omar, Oscar Díaz). Were invited to take part in Ramón Losada trophy in Luarca, Asturias, 02/08 against Real Oviedo, L 1-0 (Cervero pen). Participated in triangular match at Zamora against hosts (D 0-0) and Guijuelo 06/08, W 0-2 (Roger 2), and played Eibar in the "Trofeo de la Galleta" (biscuit trophy!) in Aguilar de Campo, 09/08, L 0-1 (Dani Nieto). Then went on to meet Burgos (in Iscar) 13/08, W 6-1 (Oscar, Bergdich 2, Oscar Díaz, Omar, Roger), and ended with own presentation match against Rayo Vallecano 16/08, W 2-1 (Jeffren, Roger pen / Aquino).
26 Jul - 22 Aug Real Madrid summer programme
All except World Cup participants back in training 14/07, and flew out to USA a week later to participate once again in the International Champions Cup, which they won last summer. Games against Inter Milan (in Berkely, California) 26/07, D 1-1 (Bale), Roma (in Dallas) 29/07, L 1-0, and Manchester United (in Michigan) 02/08, L 3-1 (Young 2, Chicharito / Bale). As Champions League winners, they took part in the European Supercup, which this year was switched to Cardiff. Opponents were Europa League champions Sevilla, date 12/08, W 2-0 (Ronaldo 2). Arranged a game against Fiorentina in Warsaw, 16/08, L 2-1 (Mario Gómez, Marcos Alonso / Ronaldo), then as Spanish Cup winners, they met league champions Atlético in the Spanish Supercup over two legs, 19/08 in the Bernabeu stadium, D 1-1 (James / Raúl García) and 22/08 in the Calderón, L 1-0 (Mandzukic). Have yet to find a slot to host their own Bernabeu trophy, which this year will be against River Plate.
27 Jul - 10 Aug Málaga summer programme
Taking part in LFP World Challenge, with fixtures in Australia against Adelaide United 25/07, W 1-5 (Malik og, Pablo Pérez, Luis Alberto, Juanmi 2), and Perth Glory 27/07, D 1-1 (Horta). Then played in Schalke's in-house tournament (which they won), 02/08 v Newcastle, W 3-1 (Darder, Samu Castillejo 2 / Obertan) and 03/08 v West Ham Utd, W 2-0 (Rescaldani, Luis Alberto), and after that a Qatari selection in Zurich, 06/08, W 1-4 (Juanmi, Luis Alberto, Santa Cruz 2). Hosted the Costa del Sol Cup against Fiorentina 10/08, which they lost 0-2.
27 Jul - 17 Aug Córdoba summer programme
Last team to return from vacations after extended play-offs. Training in Marbella, with games there against Marbella FC 27/07, W 0-1 (Havenaar), and Cádiz 31/07, D 2-2 (Fran Machado, Juan Villar / Abel Gómez 2 pens). Presented new squad to fans against Raja Casablanca 06/08, W 2-0 (Fede, Fidel), and invited to Sevilla's Antonio Puerta trophy 08/08, L 2-0 (Denis Suárez, Bacca), and Almería's presentation match 17/08, D 1-1 (Hemed / Fidel pen).
29 Jul - 16 Aug Osasuna summer programme
Have finally announced pre-season programme! Opening games in England versus Brentford 29/07, W 0-4 (Manu 2, Nino, David García), and Notts County 01/08, L 2-0 (Jones, Mullins). Then returned to Spain to play Athletic Bilbao (H) on 06/08, W 3-1 (Javi Flaño, De las Cuevas, Loties / Ibai Gómez), Huesca (in Buñuel) 09/08, W 1-0 (Manuel),and Eibar (in Tafalla) 16/08, L 0-2 (Albentosa, Arruabarrena.
31 Jul - 28 Aug

Europa League play-off rounds
Three Spanish teams are taking part in the Europa League this season, fifth placed Sevilla (defending champions), who qualify directly for the league stage, sixth placed Villarreal, who enter at the play-off stage at the end of August, and seventh placed Real Sociedad, who come in to the competition at the third qualifying stage. Their opponents were Aberdeen, with first leg at home in San Sebastian 31/07, W 2-0 (Zurutuza, Canales), and Scotland 07/08, W 2-3 (Prieto 2, 1 pen, Bergara).

Play-off stage games, 21/08 & 28/08 (see sepate section):
Real Sociedad v FC Krasnodar (Russia) 1-0; 3-0;
Astana (Kazakstan) v Villarreal 0-3; 4-0.

9/10 Aug

Teresa Herrera Trophy, La Coruña
Reverted back to a four-team tournament for this summer's 69th edition, played over two days. Hosts Deportivo were joined by Sporting Lisbon, Sporting Gijón and Uruguay's Nacional Montevideo.

Results:
09/08: Sporting Gijón 2 - Sporting Lisbon 0 (Bernardo, Luis Hernández);
09/08: Deportivo 3 -Nacional 0 (Fariña 2, Toché).
10/08: 3/4 play-off, Sporting Lisbon 2 - Nacional 0;
10/08: Final, Deportivo 1 - Sporting Gijón 0 (Serrano og).
Winners: Deportivo.

12 Aug European Super Cup
The European Supercup was brought forward by two weeks this summer, and was moved away from Mónaco to Welsh capital Cardiff. This year it was an all Spanish affair, Champions League winners Real Madrid beating Europa League champions Sevilla 2-0, with goals either side of half time by Cristiano Ronaldo. See separate section for details.
15/16 Aug LX Ramón de Carranza trophy, Cádiz
Great line-up for the 60th edition of Cádiz's prestigious summer tournament, with Atlético Madrid and Sevilla confirmed earlier, and Italy's Sampdoria the fourth participant.

Results:
15/08: Cádiz 0 - Atlético Madrid 1 (Raúl García);
15/08: Sevilla 0 - Sampdoria 2 (Eder pen, Gabiaddini);
16/08: 3/4 play-off: Cádiz 0 - Sevilla (Krychowiak, Denis Suárez, Aleix Vidal);
16/08: Final: Atlético 2 - Sampdoria 0 (Saúl, Giménez).
Winners: Atlético.
19 & 27 Aug Champions' League play-off round
Athletic Bilbao made it to the fourth Champions League spot last season, and they play a qualifying tie over two legs via the non-champions route. With a low co-efficient though, they had a tricky tie against Italy's Napoli, 19/08 (A), D 1-1 (Higuain / Muniain) and 27/08 (H), W 3-1 (Aduríz 2, Ibai Gómez). See separate section for details.,
19 & 22 Aug Spanish Super Cup
A repeat of the Champions League final in this season's Spanish Supercup, with city rivals Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid meeting over two legs. First leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, ground of cup winners Real Madrid (kick-off 23:00), D 1-1 (James / Raúl García), with the return match at the Calderón stadium, home of league champions Atlético (kick-off 22:30), Atlético 1 (Mandzukic) - Real Madrid 0 - see separate section. Dates brought forward after agreement between clubs & LFP, and both play first league matches Monday 25/08.
23-25 Aug LA LIGA, DAY ONE
First weekend of the season, both in the first and second divisions. See separate sections for details of fixtures.
4 Sep Spain friendly match
For once Spain have been spared a meaningless fixture in the middle of August, and their next friendly match will be against France in Paris on 04/09, four days prior to their opening game in the Euro 2016 qualifying round. See separate sections for details.