Real Madrid kicks off its La Liga 2024-25 campaign with a challenging match against Mallorca, aiming to continue their winning momentum after securing the UEFA Super Cup. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, as Mallorca proved to be a tough opponent last season.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is excited about new signing Julian Alvarez, but is cautious about title expectations despite significant summer spending. He expects Alvarez to quickly adapt and contribute to the team, while acknowledging Real Madrid’s dominance. Simeone emphasizes the need to focus on improving game by game, while acknowledging the strength of both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona secured a 2-1 win over Valencia in Hansi Flick’s first game as manager. The victory came after a late first-half equalizer by Lewandowski and an early second-half penalty conversion. Valencia had initially taken the lead through Hugo Duro’s header but was ultimately defeated by the clinical finishing of Lewandowski.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club is considering allowing players to take short holidays during the season to address the increasingly congested fixture schedule. Ancelotti cited the toll on players, especially internationals, and the need to preserve their health and fitness for the club’s ambitious goals, including a potential seven titles in the 2024-25 season.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with the current squad ahead of their La Liga opener against Valencia. Despite a relatively quiet transfer window, Flick trusts the club and is optimistic about the team’s prospects. He also addressed the availability of key players including Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal.
The 2024-25 European football season is set to be a thrilling one, with several teams vying for top honors. Manchester City will aim to continue their dominance, while Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool all have their sights set on challenging the reigning champions. In La Liga, Real Madrid will be the team to beat with their star-studded squad, but Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will be looking to make their mark. Bayern Munich will be aiming to regain their Bundesliga title after losing out to Leverkusen last season, while Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to finally break their trophy drought. In Serie A, Inter Milan will be looking to defend their title, but Milan and Juventus will be strong contenders. The new season promises to be full of exciting storylines, drama, and unexpected twists.
Christantus Uche, a Nigerian midfielder who was playing in the fifth division of Spanish soccer just two years ago, scored on his debut for top-tier club Getafe in the opening game of La Liga. The 21-year-old’s header equalized in a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, highlighting his incredible journey from obscurity to the top flight.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Ligue 1 side Monaco in their final pre-season friendly. The result comes after a successful US tour for the Catalan giants, raising concerns as they prepare for the La Liga season opener.
Borussia Dortmund has secured the services of Brazilian defender Yan Couto on loan from Manchester City until June 30, 2025, with an option to make the move permanent. The 22-year-old right-back joins Dortmund after impressing during his two-year loan spell at Girona in La Liga, where he helped the team achieve a surprising third-place finish. Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, described Couto as a ‘very exciting player’ with ‘lots of potential’ to continue his development.
AS Roma has strengthened their attack by signing Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk from Girona. The 27-year-old forward, who scored 24 goals in La Liga last season, joins the Serie A club for a reported fee of 38 million euros. Dovbyk’s arrival comes as Roma seeks to bolster their attacking options following the departure of Romelu Lukaku.
