European preview: Barcelona & Real Madrid open their seasons
Argentine Martino replaces Tito Vilanova, who stepped down as Barcelona manager to continue his treatment for cancer, and takes charge of a side who equalled the league record points haul of 100 to win the title last season, their fourth in five years,
Gerardo Martino
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino begins his La Liga campaign on Sunday.
"He is a leader, capable, well-prepared and experienced," midfielder Xavi told newspaper Sport. "He has very clear ideas and is very precise in what he wants.
World player of the year Messi is an injury doubt for the campaign opener after picking up a thigh strain during pre-season but Barcelona fans can look forward to watching Neymar's La Liga debut, following his move from Santos.
Real Madrid's pre-season has been dominated by speculation surrounding the future of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, with the Welshman keen on speaking to the Spanish side.
But new manager Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Portuguese Jose Mourinho, is confident his side are ready for the new season ahead of Sunday's visit of Real Betis , as they look to regain the title they last won in 2012.
La Liga facts
Real Madrid have won 32 Liga championships, 10 more than Barcelona.
Ten of the 20 clubs start their campaign with a new coach.
Of all current players, Lionel Messi (Barcelona) has scored most Liga goals - 215.
Of all current players Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) has played most Liga matches - 476.
Barcelona have scored in their last 56 league matches.
Real Madrid's last home defeat in a season opener was against Barcelona in 1984.
Ancelotti has signed three midfielders, young Brazilian Casemiro from Sao Paolo, Spanish Under-21 internationals Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad, Isco from Malaga. and right back Dani Carvajal from Bayer Leverkusen.
Last season's third-placed finishers Atletico Madrid start at Sevilla on Sunday, while Real Sociedad , surprise fourth-placed finishers last term, start at home to Getafe on Saturday.
Elsewhere Valencia host Malaga on Saturday, last season's fifth and sixth-placed finishers respectively.
Germany
Mario Gotze
Mario Gotze is set for his Bayern Munich league debut.
Germany international Mario Gotze could make his league debut for Bayern Munich in Saturday's trip to Eintracht Frankfurt .
The forward, 21, who joined Bayern from Borussia Dortmund for £31.5million in the summer, came off the bench and scored twice in Sunday's friendly win at Hungarian champions FC Gyor, his first appearance since tearing a hamstring in the Champions League semi-finals last season.
"It was our strength last season that we never lost our quality, even when players dropped out with injury," Bayern Munich's Dutch international Arjen Robben told Bild.
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Bayern's Spain midfielder Javi Martinez will be looking to maintain his Bundesliga record of having yet to lose a German league match after 25 wins and three draws.
"You have to trust yourself and not be afraid of the opposition and with a World Cup at the end of the season, even if you sit out the occasional game, it could be a positive thing."
Bayern, who sold midfielder Luiz Gustavo to Wolfsburg on Friday, kicked off their season with a 3-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach and have not lost in any of their last 19 Bundesliga away matches.
Champions League finalists Dortmund host promoted Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday with Poland striker Robert Lewandowski set to make his 100th league appearance having scored 55 goals in Germany's top flight.
Hertha Berlin travel to Nuremburg on Sunday after their 6-1 victory at home to Frankfurt, which went down as the biggest win on the opening day of the season for any newly-promoted club in Germany's top flight.
France
Paris St Germain
Paris St Germain won last season's Ligue One title.
Paris Saint-Germain play their first home game since Laurent Blanc replaced Ancelotti as coach of the Ligue 1 champions when they entertain Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening.
Cavani factfile
Edinson Cavani
Born: 14 February 1987
Club career: Danubio (2005-07), Palermo (2007-10), Napoli (2010-13), PSG (2013-)
Napoli record: Has earned a reputation as one of the best strikers playing in Europe, scoring 102 goals in 136 games for Napoli in all competitions
International record: Performed a key role in the Uruguay squads that finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later
Former France coach Blanc will hope that £54.6m record signing Edinson Cavani can have an impact on his home debut after almost scoring as a substitute in their season opening 1-1 draw in Montpellier.
"Certainly," Blanc said when asked if the Uruguayan former Napoli striker will feature against Ajaccio. "But the question is will he start? That is a decision we will take. He is a little bit behind with his preparation and has had some fitness problems."
Fabrizio Ravanelli, the former Middlesbrough and Italy striker, was appointed Ajaccio coach in the summer after two years coaching the Juventus youth team and lost 1-0 to Saint-Etienne in their season opener.
Earlier on Sunday, Monaco, will look to build on their opening-day win at Bordeaux when they welcome Montpellier to the Stade Louis II.
Marseille host Evian on Saturday, although recent signing Saber Khalifa is unlikely to make his debut against his former club as he builds up his fitness.
Elsewhere, Nice face Rennes at the Stade du Ray, although it will be played behind closed doors as a punishment for fan misbehaviour last season.
Portugal
Porto
Porto start their Primeira League defence at Vitoria Setubal on Sunday.
The Primeira League kicks off this weekend with champions Porto travelling to Vitoria Setubal on Sunday.
Porto lost their midfield duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for a combined £60m to Monaco in the summer, while manager Vitor Pereira moved to Saudi club Al-Ahli.
Paulo Fonseca is their new coach, having steered Pacos Ferreira to the 2013-14 Champions League play-offs courtesy of a third-placed finish in his first season as a top-flight boss.
"It is an honour to represent the champions. I couldn't be happier and it was an easy decision to make," he said on Uefa's official website.
Other matches include Benfica travelling to Maritimo and Sporting Lisbon hosting FC Arouca.
Italy
Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic says his side will have nothing to fear when they face reigning Serie A champions Juventus in the Italian Supercup on Sunday.
Juventus have won the trophy five times and need one more victory to draw level with AC Milan as the team that has lifted the cup the most.
Lazio have won it three times, beating Juventus to the 1998 Supercup.
Petkovic said: "Juventus will be the favourite in the league this year too, but in one-off games we don't fear anyone, we can compete against everyone.''
The Italian league does not start until next weekend.
The Netherlands
Dutch champions Ajax will look to put last weekend's 3-2 defeat to AZ Alkmaar behind them when they entertain winless Feyenoord on Sunday.
Ajax opened their Eredivisie defence with a 3-0 victory at home to Roda but lost ground to their rivals last weekend.
PSV Eindhoven entertain Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday, having won their first two games of the campaign.
Source: BBC NEWS