Barcelona start at Malaga, Real Madrid to host Bilbao
FC Barcelona will begin their bid for a 4th consecutive La Liga title at Malaga when the competition kicks off on August 20/21 [2011], the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on Wednesday.
Rivals Real Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao, and Valencia, who finished third last season will play at Osasuna, the RFEF said after the draw was made at their headquarters outside Madrid.
Spanish Super Cup between La Liga champions and holders Barcelona and King's Cup winners Real will be played over two legs on August 14 and August 17.
The pair are due to meet in the league for the "El Clasicos" on December 10/11 in Madrid and April 21/22 in Barcelona, although the match at the Bernabeu may have to be rescheduled because of Barca's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The other La Liga Gameweek 1 clashes are as follows: Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid, Espanyol v Granada, Osasuna v Valencia, Villarreal v Sporting Gijon, Racing Santander v Getafe, Levante v Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano v Mallorca.
