La Liga Matchday 1 Preview: Who Will Lead Real Madrid’s Attack? Can Real Sociedad Handle the Pressure of Multiple Competitions?

The 2023-24 La Liga season kicks off with plenty of intrigue and questions surrounding some of Spain's most prominent clubs. Real Madrid, still adjusting to a post-Benzema era, face a tough opening challenge against Athletic Club. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad, fresh off a historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League, begin their campaign against Girona, a team looking to replicate their own success from last season.

Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid: Ancelotti's Final Stand?

Few fixtures in Spanish football boast the intensity of Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid, and this season's opener at San Mamés promises to be no different. Athletic Club have consistently finished in the top half of the table, narrowly missing out on European qualification last season by just two points to Osasuna. Their ambitions for this season remain the same: securing a spot in continental competition.

However, Athletic's transfer market activity has been limited, as always, by their Basque-only recruitment policy. Despite these constraints, they managed to retain the services of the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, which was their most significant offseason accomplishment. Both players will be crucial in Athletic’s quest to break into the top seven.

A New Era for Real Madrid

On the other side, Real Madrid enter the new season amid significant changes. The departure of Karim Benzema, their talismanic striker, has left a massive void in the attack. While Joselu, signed from Espanyol, offers a physical presence up front, he lacks the pedigree and consistency of his predecessor.

All eyes will be on Vinícius Júnior, whose pace and creativity will be crucial in breaking down Athletic's resolute defense. However, questions remain over whether Madrid can consistently rely on Vinícius’ counterattacking prowess, especially without a world-class striker to finish chances.

Adding to the intrigue is the presence of Jude Bellingham, the young English star who joined from Borussia Dortmund. His versatility and dynamic style of play could provide Madrid with a new dimension in midfield, but whether he can make an immediate impact remains to be seen.

Ancelotti's Focus and the Brazil Question

Another storyline worth monitoring is Carlo Ancelotti’s mindset. The Italian tactician has already confirmed that this will be his final season with Los Blancos, as he is set to take over the Brazilian national team in 2024.

Ancelotti’s departure raises questions about his level of commitment and how it might affect the team's performance. Historically, the Italian has excelled in managing egos and maintaining harmony within the squad, but with a looming exit and the potential absence of Kylian Mbappé, who remains in transfer limbo, Ancelotti faces one of his most challenging seasons yet.

Despite the uncertainty, Real Madrid's recent record against Athletic Club is encouraging. The Basque side has not beaten Madrid in league play since 2015, and their attacking style often leaves them vulnerable to Madrid’s counterattacks. Expect a tightly contested match, with Real Madrid likely edging out a narrow 1-0 victory.

Real Sociedad vs. Girona: Kubo’s Time to Shine

Real Sociedad's fourth-place finish last season marked their first return to the Champions League in over a decade, a remarkable achievement for Imanol Alguacil’s side. The Basque club has built a reputation for developing young talent and playing an attractive brand of football, and last season’s success was a testament to their balanced approach.

Life After David Silva

One of the key storylines for La Real this season is how they will cope without David Silva. The veteran playmaker retired after guiding the club back to Europe’s elite competition, leaving a creative void in midfield.

Fortunately, Takefusa Kubo appears ready to step up. The Japanese international had a breakout season in 2022-23, showing that he is more than just a promising prospect. Kubo’s technical ability, vision, and newfound confidence make him one of the players to watch this season. His development could be crucial in Sociedad’s quest to balance domestic and European commitments.

Girona’s Attack in Transition

Girona, meanwhile, are coming off a historic season of their own. The Catalan club finished 10th in the league, their highest-ever position in La Liga. Head coach Míchel orchestrated an impressive attacking system that saw Girona score 58 goals, the fifth-highest tally in the league.

However, Girona have lost their top scorer, Valentín Castellanos, who moved to Major League Soccer. Replacing his 13 league goals will be a significant challenge, and much will depend on Míchel's ability to integrate new attacking options.

Despite these changes, Girona remain a dangerous side, as evidenced by their thrilling encounters with Real Sociedad last season, which produced a combined 12 goals. However, with Girona's attack potentially weakened and Sociedad playing at home, the Basques are favored to secure a 2-0 victory.

Key Players to Watch

• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid): With Benzema gone, the Brazilian winger will be expected to shoulder much of the attacking burden. His ability to exploit space on the counter will be crucial against Athletic Club.
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): The English midfielder's debut in La Liga will be closely watched, as Madrid fans hope he can add creativity and drive to the midfield.
• Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad): The Japanese playmaker is poised for a breakout season and could be the key to Sociedad’s success in both La Liga and the Champions League.
• Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club): The speedy forward remains Athletic’s most potent attacking threat and will look to exploit any defensive lapses from Real Madrid.

As the new La Liga season kicks off, both Real Madrid and Real Sociedad face significant tests. For Madrid, it’s about navigating a transitional period under a departing coach, while Sociedad must prove they can handle the rigors of competing on multiple fronts. All eyes will be on the opening weekend to see how these storied clubs start their campaigns.