Pre-season Fixtures

As usual there will be an intensive programme of pre-season matches, starting in June and going on beyond the 22nd August, when the league season begins again this year (see below for more). We set out below the most important games involving La Liga clubs, and will be publishing regular updates when more information is known. NB. Games completed in red, pending in blue, changes since our last report highlighted in bold. See also friendly fixtures section for sundry matches which are taking place during the league season. (31.08.15)

27 May -3 Jun LFP World Challenge
Several clubs played international fixtures under the LFP World Challenge programme before breaking up for their summer recess:
27/05: Columbus Crew (USA) 0 - Valencia 1 (Negredo);
28/05: Barcelona SC (Ecuador) 1 - Espanyol 0 (Vera);
29/05: Adelaide (Australia) 2 - Villarreal 3 (Goodwin, Marrone / Trigueros, Vietto, Moreno);
31/05: Hassania Agadir (Morocco) 2 - Sevilla 1 (Abdelhafiz pen, El Haddad / Diogo);
03/06: Brisbane (Australia) 3 - Villarreal 0 (Curt 2, Solorzano).
14 Jun Real Madrid veterans 4 - Liverpool veterans 2
Corazón Classic charity match in the Bernabeu stadium involving many big names, including Michael Owen and Steve McManaman (who played for both teams), plus Zidane, Butragueño, Roberto Carlos, Fowler, Rush, Carragher etc. 70,000+ crowd. Kewell & Owen put the Reds two up, but two penalties from Roberto Carlos plus strikes from Amavisca and Iván Pérez turned the scoreline around.
7 - 19 Jul Under 19 European finals
Spain's under 19 side will be playing in the European finals in Greece this summer. Group games:
07/07. Spain 3 - Germany 0;
10/07. Spain 1 -Russia 3;
13/07. Spain 1 Netherlands 1;
16/07. Semi-final: Spain 2 - France 0;
19/07. Final: Spain 2- Russia 0. Spain champions again!
See separate section for details.
8 Jul - 26 Aug Valencia summer programme
Started training in Vienna, with first game 08/07 v Wiener SK, W 0-4 (Rodrigo, Negredo, Gayà, Santi Mina). Took part in 4-way Red Bull Tournament in Salzburg on 11/07, with 45 minute semi-final v Southampton, W 1-0 (Piatti) then second 45 minute final v Werder Bremen, D 0-0, L 2-3 pso). Then on to Beijing for friendly against Bayern Munich in Beijing 18/07 (Audi Football Summit), L 4-1 (Müller 2, Thiago, Lewandowski / Rodrigo), and back to Europe for friendly 25/07 v PSV Eindhoven (in Azkira), W 1-0 (Alcácer). Then Cologne Cup in Germany, playing Porto 01/08, D 0-0, then hosts FC Koln 02/08, L 3-2 (Javi Fuego, Negredo). Returned home for their own Naranja Trophy v Roma 08/08, L 1-3 (Feghouli), and won through 2-leg Champions League qualifier v Monaco after that - see below for details.
8 Jul - 27 Aug Athletic Bilbao summer programme
Having to start early as playing in the third qualifying round of the Europa League this year, and return to training on 01/07. Kicked off at home 08/07 v Txorierri in Basozabal, W 0-14 (Eraso 3, Aketxe 3, Kike Sola 3, Viguera 2, Gurpegi, Ibai Gómez, Susaeta), before travelling to Austria, where they play two games in Saalfelden, 11/07 v Krasnodar, D 1-1 (Guillermo) and 14/07 v Greuther Fürth, L 3-2 (Aduríz, Williams). Then travelled to USA for fixture against Xolos de Tijuana in Boise, 18/07, W 0-2 (Aduríz, Beñat). Matches arranged against Betis (in Arcos) 23/07, D 1-1 (Kike Sola / Cejudo), Valladolid (in Sestao) 25/07, D 1-1 (Viguera pen / Guzmán) and Osasuna (A) 02/08, L 2-0 (Nino, Javi Martínez). E-League games against Inter Bakú of Azerbaijan for 30/07, W 2-0 (Eraso 2) & 06/08, D 0-0 (see below). Travelled to Italy to play Inter Milan in Parma 06/08 as part of LFP World Challenge, L 2-0 (Jovetic, Icardi). As losing cup finalists they also played in two-leg Spanish Super Cup against league & cup winners Barcelona, 14/08 (H), W 4-0 (San José, Aduríz 3) & 17/08 (A), D 1-1 (Messi / Aduríz) - see separate section. Finished off with E-League qualifying round v Zilina 20/08 (A), L 3-2, & 27/08 (H), W 1-0 - see below.
10 Jul -16 Aug Real Sociedad summer programme
Travelled to Scotland for the first week of training, with matches 10/07 v Celtic (at St. Mirren), L 1-0 (MacKay-Steven), 12/07 v St. Johnstone, D 0-0, and 13/07 v Livingston, W 0-1 (Zurutuza). Came back to play Real Unión (Irún) 18/07, D 0-0, and Toulouse (Saint Jean de Luz) 25/07, D 1-1 (Agirretxe). Then travelled to China to meet Rayo Vallecano in Nanjing (Qbao trophy), 29/07, L 1-0 (Alex Moreno), and met Atlético in Alicante 08/08, L 2-0 (Bergara og, Griezmann). Presentation match in Anoeta 12/08 v Panathinaikos, W 3-0 (Bruma, Canales, Agirretxe), and ended 16/08 v Zaragoza (A), L 3-0 (Rico, Pedro, Angel).
10 Jul - 12 Aug Deportivo summer programme
First couple of weeks close to home, with fixtures 10/07 v Silva SD (in Cerceda), W 0-3 (Cardoso, Dani Iglesias, Rober), 15/07 v Racing Ferrol (A), W 1-3 (Arribas, Luis, Teles), 17/07 v Vilalbés (A), W 0-3 (Rober, Luis, Blas), 22/07 v Ponferradina (A), W 0-1 (Luis Alberto) and 25/07 v Lugo (in Ribadeo - Trofeo Enma Cuervo), L 1-0 (Caballero). Trip to UK to play 29/07 at Huddersfield, D 0-0, and 01/08 at Swansea, D 0-0. Then met Oviedo (A) on 05/08, L 2-1 (Susaeta pen, Rivera / Juan Domínguez), hosted Teresa Herrera trophy 08/08 v Sporting Braga, W 1-0 (Cartabia pen), then played Galicia de Murgados (A) 12/08, W 0-4 (Fajr, Cani, Sidnei, Luisinho).
11 Jul - 11 Aug Levante summer programme
Games locally 11/07 v Celtic B (in Buñol), W 3-0 (Hill og, Rubén García, Rafael Martins), 18/07 v Alzira (A), W 0-3 (Ghilas, Rafael, José Mari), and 22/07 v Teruel (A), W 0-1 (Casadesús), then to Holland / Germany to play Zwolle 25/07, W 1-3 (Ghilas 2, Roger), Bayer Leverkusen 29/07, L 4-0, and NEC Nimega 01/08, D 1-1 (Juanfran). Invited by Villarreal for their "Trofeo de la Cerámica" 06/08, L 2-0 (Alfonso, Nahuel), and ended up at Mallorca 11/08 (Ciudad de Palma trophy), W 0-1 (Iván López).
11 Jul - 15 Aug Espanyol summer programme
Training as usual in Val d'Aran, with a match against local XI 11/07, W 0-17 (Javi López, Caicedo 2, Montañés 2, Sevilla, Jordán, Sylla 3, Hernán Pérez, Abraham, Alfonso 3, Burgui, Mirambell og). Then took part in Betsafe cup in Kufstein, Austria, with games 22/07 v Köln, W 0-2 (Alfonso, Caballé) & final 24/07 v Kasimpasa, W 1-2 (Burgui, Víctor Alvarez). Invited to Italy to play in Avellino's Taccone Memorial match 29/07, D 0-0, then trip to UK to play Reading 01/08, D 0-0, and Southampton 02/08, D 1-1 (Rodríguez / Sevilla). Hosted their own Ciutat de Barcelona trophy v Betis 09/08, D 1-1 (Caicedo / Castro), W 5-4 pso, and ended preseason at Girona's Costa Brava trophy, 15/08, L 3-0 (Ricky, Lejeune, Sanchón pen).
14 Jul - 15 Aug Betis summer programme
Started training at San Pedro de Pinatar, with games 14/07 v Coria, W 1-4 (Rennella, Juanma, Molina 2), 17/07 v San Roque, L 3-1 (Pezzella), 23/07 v Athletic Bilbao (in Arcos de la Frontera), D 1-1 (Kike Sola / Cejudo), and 25/07 v Vitoria Setúbal (in Cartaya), L 0-1. Travelled to Germany with matches 31/07 v Darmstadt, L 3-1 (Cejudo) and 01/08 v Borussia Dortmund, L 2-0. Invited to Recreativo Huelva's Colombino trophy 07/08, W 1-2 (Delgado / Molina 2), and Espanyol's presentation match 09/08, D 1-1 (Caicedo / Castro). Ended preseason at Cádiz's Ramón de Carranza trophy, 14-15/08, losing the final to Atlético - see below for details.
15 Jul - 15 Aug Rayo Vallecano summer programme
Start off locally, then go to Germany for games 15/07 v Hertha Berlin, W 0-1 (Clavería) and 18/07 v St. Pauli (Hamburg), L 4-2 (Uche, Alex Moreno). Returned to play Albacete (A) 25/07, L 5-0 (Samu 2, Portu, Santi Jara 2), then flew to China to meet Real Sociedad in Nanjing 29/07 (Qbao sponsored game), W 1-0 (Alex Moreno). Back to Spain for matches 05/08 at Leganés, D 0-0 , 08/08 at home to Oviedo, D 1-1 (Manucho / Linares), L 4-3 pso, and 15/08 at home to Las Palmas, W 1-0 (Raúl Baena).
16 Jul - 14 Aug Sevilla summer programme
Start training near home, with games 16/07 v Lorca, W 0-4 (Gameiro, Vitolo 2, Matos) and 19/07 v Alcorcón, D 1-1 (Juan Muñoz / Nierga). Organized friendly games 25/07 at Werder Bremen, L 3-1 (Kroos, Ujah, Hüsing / Juan Muñoz), 26/07 at Stade Reims, W 1-2 (Gameiro, Muñoz), 01/08 at Watford, W 0-1 (Vitolo), 02/08 at Brighton, L 1-0 (Hemed pen), and 08/08 at AEK Athens, D 1-1 (Reyes). Played European Super Cup for the second year in a row as winners of the Europa League, rivals Barcelona 11/08 in Tbilisi, Georgia, L 5-4 (see below), and ended with friendly in Roma, 14/08, L 6-4 (Denis 2, Reyes, Coke).
16 Jul - 15 Aug Córdoba summer programme
Preseason training in Orihuela 12 to 19 July, and games arranged 16/07 v Orihuela (A), W 0-3 (Arturo, Florín, Xisco), 18/07 v Torrevieja (A), W 1-3 (Florín, Xisco, Arturo), 24/07 v Linares (H), L 0-1, 26/07 v Sevilla Atlético (A), L 2-1 (Xisco), 29/07 v Marbella (A), W 0-1 (Fidel), 01/08 v Granada (H), W 2-0 (Foulquier og, Nando), 06/08 v Jaén (A), W 1-3 (Arturo 2, Moha Traore), and 15/08 v Getafe (H), L 0-2 (Lafita, Alexis).
17 - 14 Aug Celta summer programme
Started preseason in Germany & Austria, with matches 17/07 v Greuther Fürth, W 1-5 (Iglesias, Orellana, Caliguri, Augusto, Sené), 19/07 v Nuremburg (in Weisman, Germany), D 2-2 (Iglesias, Aspas), 22/07 v Galatasaray (in Villach, Austria), L 2-1 (Aspas), and a final match 25/07 v Ingolstadt, L 1-0, game suspended after brawl beetween players!). Triangular tournament 01/08 in Portugal, D 0-0 v Paços Ferreira, W 0-2 v Rio Ave (Fontás, Guidetti), then games 04/08 v Coruxo, W 0-3 (Madinda 2, Guidetti pen) and 07/08 v Boavista (in Ribadumia), W 3-0 (Aspas, Bongonda, Nolito). Finished off 14/08 hosting XX Quinocho Memorial Trophy v Genoa, W 4-0 (Hernández, Aspas 2, Guidetti).
17 Jul - 9 Aug Málaga summer programme
Start back on 01/07, first team to do so. Training in Baden-Baden, with games 17/07 v Karlsruhe, L 3-1 (Amrabat), and 19/07 v Freiburg, W 0-1 (Cop). Then travelled to South America as part of LFP World Challenge, with matches 26/07 v Cali, Colombia, L 3-2 (Charles, Cop), 31/07 v San Lorenzo, Argentina, D 0-0, and 01/08 v Peñarol de Montevideo, Uruguay, W 1-3 (Ifrán / Cop, Duda, Rosales). Returned to Spain to play Al Wasl in Antequera, 07/08, W 3-1 (Tighadouini, Horta, Zalazar), and then hosted Costa del Sol trophy y Lekhwiya, 09/08, W 2-0 (Charles, Espinho).
18 Jul - 9 Aug Almería summer programme
Fixtures 18/07 v Aguilas (A), W 0-2, 24/07 v Toledo (A), W 2-3, 28/07 v AFE selection (in Asturias), D 1-1, 01/08 v Sporting Gijón (in Luanco), D 1-1 (Guerrero, Chuli), 03/08 v Athletic Bilbao B, W 0-2 (Zabaco, Iván Díaz), and 09/08 v Las Palmas, W 2-0 (Fatau, Iván Sñanchez).
18 Jul - 15 Aug Eibar summer programme
First friendly 18/07 at home to Celtic (75th anniversary), L 1-4 (Arruabarrena pen / Ambrose, Griffiths 3), then 23/07 v UD Logroñés (A), W 0-1 (Arruabarrena), 24/07 v Real Unión (in Bergara), W 3-1 (Keko, Nieto 2), 30/07 v Mirandés (A), D 0-0, 31/07 v Osasuna (in Olite), L 1-0 (José García). Took part in Teide trophy in the Canary Islands, 06/08 v Mensajero, D 1-1 (Endika) and 07/08 v hosts Tenerife, D 1-1 (Pedro / Berjón). Last matches 12/08 at Numancia, W 0-2 (Borja Bastón, Enrich) and 15/08 at Valladolid, L 1-0 (Oscar).
18 Jul - 12 Aug Real Madrid summer programme
Participating in two major pre-season tournaments, starting with the International Champions Cup (ICC) in Australia and China. Fixtures in Melbourne 18/07 v Roma, D 0-0, L 6-7 pso, and 24/07 v Manchester City, W 4-1 (Benzema, Ronaldo, Pepe, Cheryshev / Touré Yaya pen), and then in China, 27/07 v Inter Milan (in Shanghai), W 3-0 (Jesé, Varane, James) & 30/07 v AC Milan (in Guangzhou), D 0-0. After a stopover in Madrid they travelled to Germany to play in the Audi Cup, with fixtures against Tottenham 04/08, W 2-0 (James, Bale) and the winners of the other semi-final, hosts Bayern Munich 05/08 (L 1-0 (Lewandowski). Then to Oslo to meet Valerenga, 09/08, D 0-0, and hosted their own Santiago Bernabeu trophy, 18/08 v Galatasaray, W 2-1 (Nacho, Marcelo / Sneijder).
18 Jul - 8 Aug Elche summer programme
Still weren't sure which division they will be playing in, but kicked off under Rubén Baraja. Fixtures 18/07 v Eldense (in Santa Pola), W 2-0 (Lombán, Arqués), 22/07 v Torrevieja (A), W 1-2, 25/07 v Olimpic (A), W 1-2, 29/07 v Maghreb, L 2-3, 01/08 v UCAM Murcia, D 0-0, 05/08 v Real Murcia, D 0-0, and 08/08 v Atlético Baleares, W 2-0.
18 Jul - 15 Aug Villarreal summer programme
Local fixtures to start with, 18/07 v Reus (A), W 0-1 (Baptistao) & 22/07 v Nàstic (A), D 1-1 (De la España pen / Trigueros pen). Travelled to London for the Emirates Cup, with matches 25/07 v Wolfsburg, W 2-1 (Mario, Nahuel / Perisic) and 26/07 v Olympique Lyon, W 2-0 (Bruno pen, Baptistao). Then played Derby (A) 29/07, D 1-1 (Weimann / Baptistao) and Everton (A) 02/08, W 1-2 (Tylas / Moreno, Nahuel). Hosted their own "Trofeo de la Cerámica" 06/08 v neighbours Levante, W 2-0 (Alfonso, Nahuel), and played Sassuolo (A) 09/08, D 1-1 (Nahuel). Last match at Sporting Gijón, 15/08, W 0-1 (Baptistao).
18 Jul - 15 Aug Sporting Gijón summer programme
Only local fixtures for cash strapped Asturians. Matches announced to date, 18/07, 4-way tournament in Torrelavega (3rd Manolo Preciado memorial) with Gimnastica, Racing Santander & Internacional Santander, semi-final, W 0-1 v Gimastica (Pablo Pérez), final D 0-0 v Racing, L 1-2 pso. Then 26/07 v Tenerife (A), D 1-1 (Omar / Jony, pso 2-4), 01/08 v Almería (in Luanco), D 1-1 (Guerrero / Chuli), and 05/08 v Ponferradina (A), L 1-0 (Yuri). Presentation match 08/08 v Palermo, W 3-1 (Castro, Lora, Mendi), and end 15/08 at home to Villarreal, L 0-1 (Baptistao).
21 Jul - 17 Aug Barcelona summer programme
All except those playing in the Copa America started work on 13 July. Travelled to USA to participate in the International Champions Cup (ICC), playing 3 games, 21/07 v LA Galaxy (Los Angeles), W 1-2 (Luis Suárez, Sergi Roberto), 25/07 v Manchester United (San Francisco), L 1-3 (Rafinha / Rooney, Lindgard, Janujaz), and 28/07 v Chelsea (Washington), D 2-2 (Suárez, Sandro / Hazard, Cahill). Returned to Europe for 4th ICC game 02/08 v Fiorentina in Florence,L 2-1 (Bernardeschi 2 / Suárez)), then hosted their own Joan Gamper trophy 05/08 v Roma, W 3-0 (Neymar, Messi, Rakitic). Took part in European Super Cup 11/08 v Sevilla in Georgia, W 5-4 (see below), then play two-leg Spanish Super Cup v Athletic Bilbao 14/08 (A), L 4-0 & 17/08 (H), D 1-1 (Messi / Aduríz) - details as below.
22 Jul - 15 Aug Granada summer programme
Returned 09/07 and spent a few days in La Manga. Fixtures confirmed 22/07 v La Hoya Lorca (A), D 1-1 (Success), 29/07 v Albacete (in Murcia), W 2-0 (Piti, El Arabi), 01/08 v Córdoba (A), L 2-0 (Foulquier og, Nando), 04/08 v Ittihad Tangiers (A), L 2-1 (El Arabi), 08/08 v Udinese, W 2-0 (Robert, Córdoba), and 11/08 v Al Wasl, W 2-1 (Success, Córdoba). Ended preseason at Cádiz's Ramón de Carranza trophy, 14-15/08, finishing third - see below.
25 Jul - 15 Aug Getafe summer programme
Preseason training in Segovia 08 to 17 July, then travelled to UK for fixtures 25/07 v Port Vale, D 2-2 (Lago og, Leitch-Smith / Wanderson, Juan Rodríguez), >28/07 v MK Dons, W 1-3 (Walsh / Vázquez, Emi Buendía 2), 31/07 v Fleetwood, L 2-0 (Sarcevic 2 pens), and 01/08 v Middlesborough, L 1-0 (Kike García). Returned to Spain to play away v Albacete 08/08, W 1-2 (Jona / Juan Rodríguez, Emi), Gimnastica Segoviana 12/08, W 0-2 (Medrán, Emi), and Córdoba 15/08, W 0-2 (Lafita, Alexis).
25 Jul - 15 Aug Atlético Madrid summer programme
Returned on 8 July, and went to San Raphael for training four days later. First friendly 25/07 v Numancia in Burgo de Osma (Jesús Gil memorial), W 0-2 (Lucas, Correa), then invited to Oviedo 28/07 for their presentation match, W 02 (Griezmann, Fernando Torres). Travelled to Asia, with matches 01/08 v Tosu, Japan, D 1-1 (Koke), and 04/08 v Shanghai, China, W 0-3 (Griezmann 2, Fernando Torres). Returned to Spain to play in triangular tournament in Leganés's Butarque stadium 07/08, D 0-0 v Guadalajara and L 1-0 v Leganés (Pires), and then in Alicante v Real Sociedad 08/08, W 2-0 (Bergara og, Griezmann). Took part in Cádiz's Carranza trophy 14-15/08, beating Betis 3-0 in the final (see below for details).
30 Jul - 27 Aug Europa League play-off rounds
With Europa League champions Sevilla being bumped up to the Champions League this season, only sixth placed Villarreal and seventh placed Athletic Bilbao are taking part in the competition this season. Athletic have to play the third qualifying and play-off rounds, and Villarreal qualify directly for the league stage. Athletic's first opponents were Inter Bakú (Azerbaijan), 30/07 (H) W 2-0 (Eraso 2) and 06/08 (A) D 0-0. Next opponents were Zilina (Slovakia), A 20/08, L 3-2, and H 27/08, W 1-0, qualifying for the league stage on the away goal rule.
31 Jul - 16 Aug Las Palmas summer programme
Visited local sides Mensajero 31/07, W 0-5 (Asdrúbal 2, Figueroa, Momo, David García), and Laguna 02/08, W 0-3 (Araujo, Viera, Nauzet). Took part in traditional Copa Mahou games v local rivals Tenerife, away on 01/08, L 1-0 (Nadjib), and home 12/08, L 0-1 (Pedro Martín). Fixtures v Maritimo (A) 07/08, W 1-2 (Araujo, Viera), Almería (A) 09/08, L 2-0 (Fatau, Iván Sánchez), Rayo (A) 15/08, L 1-0 (Baena), and Atlético Tetuán (H) 16/08, W 4-2 (Hernán, Momo, Araujo 2).
7 Aug Colombino trophy, Huelva
Invited neighbours Betis to 51st edition, even though club relegated and in danger of disappearing. Betis won 1-2 (Delgado / Molina 2).
8 Aug LXX Teresa Herrera Trophy, La Coruña
Reverted to single match this season after four-way tournament last year. Portugal's Sporting Braga were the team invited, Depor winning 1-0 thanks to a Fede Cartabia penalty.
11 Aug European Super Cup
The European Supercup was once again played in the second week of August, this time in Tbilisi, Georgia. For the second year in a row it was an all Spanish affair, Champions League winners Barcelona meeting four time Europa League champions Sevilla. Barça won 5-4 after extra time (Messi 2, Rafinha, Luis Sánchez, Pedro / Banega, Reyes, Gameiro pen, Konoplyanka). See separate section for details.
14 / 17 Aug Spanish Super Cup
Barcelona won the Spanish league and cup this season, so they played cup runners up Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup. First leg in the San Mamés stadium 14/08, 4-0 (San José, Aduríz 3, 1 pen), and the return match in the Nou Camp 17/08, 1-1 (Messi / Aduríz). Athletic won 5-1 on aggregate. See separate section for more.
14 - 15 Aug LXI Ramón de Carranza trophy, Cádiz
Confirmed line-up for the 61st edition of Cádiz's prestigious summer tournament: Cádiz, Granada, Atlético Madrid, Betis.
14/08: Betis 2 - Granada 1 (Rubén Castro, Portillo / El Arabi);
14/08: Cádiz 0 - Atlético 0 (2-4 pso);
15/08 (3/4 play-off): Cádiz 1 - Granada 3 (Quintana / Rubén Pérez, Lombán, El Arabi);
15/08 (final): Atlético 3 - Betis 0 (Giménez, Jackson, Correa).
Winners: Atlético.
18 - 26 Aug Champions' League play-off round
Valencia made it to the fourth Champions League spot last season, and they played aqualifying tie over two legs via the non-champions route. Rivals were Monaco, H 18/08, W 3-1, & A 26/08, L 2-1. See separate section for details.
21 - 24 Aug LA LIGA, DAY ONE
First weekend of the season, both in the first and second divisions. After a conflict between LFP, RFEF & AFE, the sports arbitration body ruled that the season should begin on the weekend of 22/23 August. See separate sections for details of fixtures.