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August 30, 2024

Five lessons learned from Matchday 3 – La Liga

Let’s break down some main talking points following the first game of the new Spanish football season.

After a midweek Matchday 3 that yielded several intriguing storylines, the LA LIGA EA SPORTS table is beginning to take shape. We delve into a few of the most significant ones here, reminding us that in football, the only predictable thing is its unpredictability.

FC Barcelona Lose Marc Bernal but Gain Dani Olmo

After three matchdays, FC Barcelona remains at the top of the table, securing nine points out of nine. Interestingly, each of their wins has been by a 2-1 scoreline, with the most recent victory coming against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday. Dani Olmo was the hero, scoring the match-winning goal on his debut for the first team, a promising start for the young star. However, the joy of his arrival was dampened by the injury of 17-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, who had impressed in the opening games but suffered an ACL injury. While Olmo has stepped in as a new attacking talent, Bernal’s absence leaves a significant gap in midfield.

Real Sociedad’s Home Struggles Continue

Real Sociedad’s struggles at home have carried into the new season, a worrying trend that began last year when they won only eight 19 home matches. In the first two home games of 2024/25, they have lost both, falling 2-1 to Rayo Vallecano on the opening day and 2-1 to Basque rivals Deportivo Alavés. With tough fixtures ahead, including visits from Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Barcelona before November, coach Imanol Alguacil must urgently find a way to improve results at the Reale Arena if they hope to rechallenge European spots.

Villarreal CF Present Their Case for Fourth Place

Villarreal CF has emerged as one of the standout teams in LA LIGA EA SPORTS, holding second place in the standings with seven points. Their impressive campaign, including a thrilling 2-2 draw against Atlético de Madrid, a solid 2-1 victory away at Sevilla FC, and a nail-biting 4-3 win over RC Celta in the recent midweek round, suggests they could be serious contenders for the coveted fourth place this season. This strong start for El Submarino Amarillo is a beacon of hope for their fans, promising an exciting season at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Real Madrid Don’t Like the Islands

In August, countless holidaymakers flock to Spain’s stunning islands, such as Mallorca and Gran Canaria. Due to the LA LIGA EA SPORTS fixture schedule this season, Real Madrid has had the chance to visit both islands for two of their first three league matches. However, their experiences have been far less enjoyable than typical tourists. After a frustrating 1-1 draw against RCD Mallorca in their opening match, Los Blancos faced another setback, drawing 1-1 away at UD Las Palmas on Thursday night. An early goal from Alberto Moleiro put Las Palmas ahead. Despite Vinícius equalizing from the penalty spot, the home side came close to securing a late victory. Real Madrid’s visits to the islands this August have not yielded the desired results. Still, they will now focus on upcoming fixtures on the mainland for the rest of the season.

Girona FC Matches Last Season’s Performance

As the new season began, there were questions about whether Girona FC could replicate the remarkable performances of the previous year. They had to balance their domestic commitments with Champions League football. They faced significant changes in their squad due to several departures and new arrivals. However, the Catalan team has so far managed to secure four points from three challenging matches, drawing 1-1 against Real Betis, suffering a 3-0 loss to Atlético de Madrid, and dominating CA Osasuna with a 4-0 victory at Estadi Montilivi on Thursday night. On the same day, they learned that top clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal would visit their stadium for the Champions League. Remarkably, when comparing these results to those from the 2023/24 season, Girona FC has achieved the same points total from these three fixtures. This resilience and determination from Míchel’s squad is truly inspiring, showing that they are on track to match last season’s impressive performance.

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