La Liga: Pre-Season Review & Preview
A round-up of friendly results from Spain’s top tier clubs, as well as a preview of the best pre-season fixtures to look forward to.
Review
Valencia kicked off their pre-season campaign with a bang as they beat Swiss side FC Lausanne 5-0. Their second victory came on Thursday against Sporting Lisbon. Goals from Orellana, Rodrigo and Nacho Gil secured victory as the team now leaves Europe to face American sides NY Cosmos and Cincinnati.
Athletic Bilbao also started their pre-season campaign early due to Europa League qualifiers at the end of July. They beat FC Sion 2-0, with an own goal and a goal by Raul Garcia. Bilbao now look forward to two more friendlies before playing Dinamo Bucharest in their Europa League Qualifier on July 27.
Deportivo La Coruña have started their pre-season with three victories, with the most recent result coming on Thursday, defeating third division side Silva 5-0. Oscar scored in all three games, with Florin Andone, Borges and a Pedro brace making up the five goal scoreline. There was also debuts for Carles Gil and Emre Colak.
Real Betis were the first Spanish side to lose a pre-season game, as they lost out 1-0 to Linense from the Segunda Division B. Malaga also had a shock result as they lost 1-0 to Sheffield United due to a goal by John Fleck. They will be hoping for better results against the likes of Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach later this month.
Real Sociedad round off our results with a 5-0 win against fourth division side CD Elgoibar. They now move on to France to face Bordeaux and Saint Etienne, then on to Holland before playing Premier League opposition in Watford, before returning to Spain.
Preview
Barcelona will take part in the International Champions Cup in the USA this summer, starting off in New Jersey against Juventus on July 22. Their second game will take place in Washington, facing Lukaku and co as they take on Manchester United. The final game of the competition will be an El Classico affair as they play Real Madrid in Miami. Debuts will be handed to new recruits Nelson Semedo and Marlon, as well as a return for Gerard Deulofeu, two years after being sold by the club. It remains to be seen whether Marco Verratti will also feature, after rumours that Barca are closing in on the Italian midfielder.
Real Madrid will also take part in the same tournament, with Dani Ceballos and Theo Hernandez featuring for the first time, after big money moves from Betis and Atletico, respectively. Instead of Juventus however, Real Madrid will face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Madrid will also meet Barca again in the two-leg Spanish Super Cup, taking place in August.
Atletico Madrid have a relatively quiet pre-season, with no friendlies arranged. They will participate in the Audi Cup in August, facing Napoli and either Bayern Munich or Liverpool. No new signings on show, with arrival Vitolo being sent on loan to Las Palmas.
Sevilla have a busy schedule ahead, with a trip to Japan to play two friendlies, before taking part in the Emirates Cup against Arsenal and RB Leipzig. Then two more friendlies against English duo Everton and Southampton, before Champions league qualifiers against undecided opponents.