MADRID, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Although sport is possibly the last thing on many people's minds following the terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, this weekend sees the opening round of matches in the Spanish Liga Santander football league. There will be a minute's silence before the games, but once the ball starts rolling gets under way these are four things to look out for.
1.Will Real Madrid sweep past Deportivo la Coruna?
Real Madrid start the season with their moral sky high after dominating Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup over two games in which they showed almost complete dominance over their rivals.
Cristiano Ronaldo serves the second of a four-game ban in La Coruna, but Wednesday night showed how Madrid's depth of squad allows them to make changes and hardly see the effects, indeed some may argue that youngster Marcos Asensio is currently his side's most effective attacker.
Last season saw Real Madrid win 6-2 in Deportivo's Riazor Stadium as they made their way to the title, this Sunday should see Zinedine Zidane bring players such as Casemiro and Gareth Bale back into his side and anything other than an easy win to start their title defense would be a surprise.
2. Can Barcelona shake off depression to beat a revamped Betis
There is no doubt that Barcelona's home game against Betis will be an emotionally charged affair following the terrorist attacks, but it would have been difficult enough for new coach Ernesto Valverde and his players without this week's tragedy hanging over the city.
Barcelona were totally outplayed by Real Madrid in the Supercup and appear to be in sporting depression following the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint Germain. If that wasn't enough, they lost Luis Suarez for a month to a knee injury picked up in Madrid, while Gerard Pique is also doubtful, meaning Valverde will have to reshuffle what looks like the thinnest squad Barca have had for years to take on Betis.
Barca's first rivals of the season have strengthened well over the summer with players such as Cristian Tello and Sergio Leon joining the club, along with new coach Quique Setien, who has a reputation for playing flowing football.
If Barcelona are not focused, the season could start with a surprise in the Camp Nou.
3. How will the new coaches fair on their debuts?
The new season sees plenty of new faces in the dugouts of Barca's clubs, with Ernesto Valverde making his league debut at the Camp Nou, while Quique Setien has his first game in charge since joining Betis.
Cuco Ziganda sits in the dugout for Athletic Club for the first time in LaLiga, although he has three European games under his belt for Athletic, while Alaves, Celta, Sevilla, Valencia and Las Palmas also have new men in the dugout, although some such as Valencia boss, Marcelino Garcia and Sevilla's Eduardo Berizzo are veterans at other clubs.
The opening weeks of the season are always a nervous time, so its important to get off to a good start otherwise early season doubts can lead in some cases to early season sackings.
4. Away day blues for Atletico Madrid?
Atletico Madrid start the new season with two away games while work on their new Wanda Metropolitan Stadium is completed.
The first of those matches is away to newly promoted Girona, where a great atmosphere can be expected in the Montilivi Stadium for the club's first ever top-flight game.
The FIFA ban imposed on Atletico means there are no new faces in Diego Simeone's side, but Atletico have been able to tie down key players such as Antoine Griezmann, and Saul Niguez. Their task now is to get through the opening two games intact and then hope for home comforts in their new ground come September.
