The echoes of a global football festival linger, yet the focus shifts to domestic competition as leagues resume. In Spain, LaLiga returns with a slate of intriguing matchups this week. Girona faces Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis takes on Athletic Bilbao, and Atletico Madrid squares off with Elche. The schedule stretches across two busy rounds, with notable derbies and city showdowns on the horizon, including a Madrid city clash and a Barcelona weekend that promises intense fanfare and travelable excursions for visitors.
17 matches in 60 days
The calendar resets with a high-octane start to the year, as the next two months bring a relentless sequence of league games, the domestic cup, the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. Real Madrid, competing in multiple fronts, could find themselves playing up to 17 matches in 60 days if they advance to the Super Cup and the Club World Cup finals. It is a stern test of endurance for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad, a reminder that the modern football season often demands peak performance across several competitions in rapid succession.
Many anticipate that Madrid’s squad depth will be tested. Players such as Lucas Vázquez, Nacho Fernández, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Mariano Díaz may see extended minutes to navigate the heavy workload. Ancelotti has historically favored rotational strategies, a philosophy he signaled before the World Cup by noting that returning players would be eased back into the team’s rhythm to minimize disruption. Following a demanding year, Madrid bid farewell to 2022 with a win at Valladolid and then prepared for the Cup clash against Cacereño in Extremadura, marking a transitional phase for the squad as it gears up for the spring sprint.
Within the transfer market, Madrid has shown restraint, with little drama around departures or January arrivals. Other giants, however, have faced more scrutiny. Barcelona continues to bolster its roster as president Joan Laporta and coach Xavi Hernández navigate a window full of expectations. The January market is poised to be a focal point as the season restarts, a period that tests planning and strategic decisions made during the World Cup break. Barcelona will defend their lead against Espanyol while weighing potential moves for players like Franck Kessié, who could feature if the club manages the financial and sporting logistics, all while keeping an eye on executive decisions. Raphinha and Ferran Torres also carry the weight of proving the club’s investment worthwhile, as both face pressure to justify their signings given renewed competition for minutes and roles on the squad.
The Spanish Super Cup, held in Saudi Arabia, brings Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis, and Valencia to the fore between January 11 and 15. The Champions League calendar will resume with Spain still represented by Real Madrid, while the Club World Cup returns to the spotlight with matches set to unfold in Morocco from February 1 to 11. Real Madrid, under Ancelotti, emphasize their aim to add a second consecutive domestic-continental double to their recent haul, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing a congested calendar with the pursuit of multiple titles across competitions. The path to lifting more silverware remains a test of physical resilience, tactical depth, and squad cohesion as the team navigates the spring sprint and the looming prospect of securing a historic recovery across European and world stages.