La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga Preview

The 2018/19 English Premier League got underway this weekend with no notable shocks, the rest of Europe’s big leagues kick-off this weekend and we take a look at what we can expect from the upcoming season as we anticipate our weekly sports entertainment in South Africa and across the globe.

In the 2018 post season we saw France crowned as world champions in Russia only for the second time in their history. The World Cup has always served as somewhat of a runway, unknown players get a chance to strut and show off their talent in hopes of attracting the attention of a big club. This year has been no different, billions of Euro’s have already been spent even before most transfer windows close.

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La Liga Season Preview

The biggest clubs in Spanish football will be eyeing top honors as they battle it out for the 2018/19 La Liga title. Real Madrid would’ve hoped for a better start to their season losing 4-2 to bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in a pre-season UEFA Super Cup match on Wednesday, 15 August. Could this be the start of a power shift in Madrid? Diego Simeone’s men seemed to kick up a gear in extra-time, a characteristic that has been so synonymous with Los Blancos. New coach Julen Lopetegui has his work cut out for him but how will he fair without Cristiano Ronaldo in his side? Real Madrid will be hosting Getafe in their first league encounter on Sunday, 19 August.

Barcelona will be happy with their dress rehearsal fixture which saw them come from behind to beat Sevilla FC 2-1 in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, 12 August.
 


The reigning Champions will do well to improve on their 2017/18 domestic form which saw their hopes of completing an unbeaten La Liga season come to a thrilling end in a shock 5-4 defeat to Levante. The Catalans have signed players in key positions who should help Ernesto Valverde further implement his philosophy in his second season. Barcelona welcome Alaves in their first league fixture on Saturday, 18 August while a robust looking Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Costa upfront, travel to Valencia in the first of two Monday night fixtures on the 20^th of August.

The first La Liga gameweek also sees Girona welcome newly promoted Valladolid while Celta Vigo host Espanyol. Eibar entertains new boys Huesca and Villarreal battles Real Sociedad.

Serie A Season Preview

Arguably the biggest transfer news of the summer sees Cristiano Ronaldo make a €112 million big money move to the Old Lady. The Portuguese international joins Juventus at the back of a 9 season stellar career with Real Madrid, Juventus fans are certainly excited to have him in Turin. They’ll be hoping to see the same magic they witnesses when CR 7 scored a spectacular overhead kick in the Champions League last season which saw Real Madrid claim a 3-0 victory away from home.

His quality is unquestionable however will he have an instant impact? Juventus travel to Chievo in their season opener on Saturday, 18 August while last season’s runners up Napoli will look to rebuild after losing their manager Maurizio Sarri and key figure Jorginho to English side Chelsea. They travel to a talented Lazio side who will look to improve on their last season fifth place finish.



Despite losing one of the best goalkeepers in Europe to Liverpool, Roma will look to start their season strong when they travel to Torino meanwhile Sassuolo entertains a rejuvenated Inter Milan. Some of the Serie A fixtures have been postponed including AC Milan against Genoa however announcements of when the fixtures will be scheduled should follow soon.

Bundesliga Season Preview

Bayern Munich will be pleased to begin their sixth consecutive Bundesliga title defense with their mercurial striker Robert Lewandoswki leading the line. Although efforts to sign him from other big teams in Europe have not been as aggressive as before, the Polish international is still sought after and Jupp Heynckes will be delighted to have him lead the line up front. Hoffenheim take on the league champions away and will look to cause an early upset, while Dortmund take on Leipzig at the Westfalenstadion stadium. Wolfsburg lock horns with Schalke and Monchengladbach welcome Leverkusen in their first league clash of the season.

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