RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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La Liga returns this weekend but without many of the most familiar faces in Spanish soccer.
While the top division in Spain resumes, reigning champion Barcelona, rival Real Madrid and even typical members of the chasing pack like Atlético Madrid and Real Betis won't debut until later this month.
La Liga returns Aug. 15 with Alaves hosting Getafe and later Rayo Vallecano traveling to Sevilla. The debut of Villarreal, with an Aug. 16 trip to Racing Santander, means at least one contender is in action on the actual opening weekend.
But the league's decision to split its opening round, made after back-and-forth with both the players union and the federation, means most of the league's top teams won't kick off on opening weekend.
Defending champions Barcelona won't start its campaign until Aug. 23, traveling to face Elche in what is technically a Round 2 match before making up the Round 1 game with Athletic on Aug. 27.
Jose Mourinho's return as Real Madrid manager comes Aug. 22 at Espanyol – also a Round 2 game – before his home return Aug. 26 against Real Sociedad.
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