Real Madrid clinched a whopping 95 points in the 2023/24 season while embarking on a 32-game unbeaten streak to clinch a record 36th La Liga title. Los Blancos also ended the season as Champions of Europe and extended their total tally at the UEFA Champions League to 15. Last season recorded breakout performances from Girona, Athletic Club, and Real Sociedad, while Valencia, Villareal, Celta Vigo, and Sevilla were far from their best, missing out on the chance to participate in European competitions.
This season’s competition is set to be intense and Close historic rivals FC Barcelona tops the list of their toughest opponents this season. As always, they remain the biggest obstacle to Real Madrid’s pursuit of the La Liga title each season. Over the past decade, whenever Los Blancos have won the Spanish La Liga, the Catalans have consistently finished second. Last season, Barcelona trailed Real Madrid by ten points, leading to Xavi Hernandez’s dismissal after three seasons as the Club’s head coach. Now, former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick will take charge of the Catalan side for the 2024/25 season. He already leads a young Barcelona team to victory against Real Madrid (2-1) in their pre-season game in the USA Tour on his first El-Classico (although it’s a non-official game).
The 27-time Spanish Champions and five-time Champions League winners have a well-talented squad of youngsters that can challenge Real Madrid. Old Blood like Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan provide the team with much-needed experience in the attacking end and midfield respectively. Lamine Yamal, who at just 17, played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory will be joined by Dani Olmo, another key figure at the 2024 Euro, joining from RB Leipzig. Additionally, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Fermin Lopez were key figures in Spain’s Gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Atletico Madrid is second on this list. They finished 4th last season and trailed Carlo Ancelotti’s side by 19 points. They also achieved something no other Spanish team did – defeating Real Madrid. Diego Simeone’s squad handed Los Blancos their only loss in the 2023/24 La Liga season and also knocked them out of the Copa del Rey in the Round of 16. Both teams have had epic encounters in the past two decades and more remarkable ones on the European Big stage. The most notable being the UCL finals of 2014 and 2016 (Real Madrid won both).
For the first time since 2021, Simeone has a squad capable of making a difference in the Spanish league. The Argentine has strengthened his team with the addition of Robin Le Normand, who was part of Spain’s winning defense at Euro 2024, and Julian Alvarez, fresh from his Copa America 2024 victory with Argentina. The potential purchase of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea will also be a massive boost to his already-stacked midfield options. Atletico Madrid consistently matches the challenge brought by their close City rivals (Real Madrid), and with a stronger starting XI on both sides next season, the Madrid derby looks more promising and formidable.
Athletic Bilbao are likely underdogs in the La Liga this season. Ernesto Valverde’s team has the potential to surpass last year’s fifth-place finish, especially with Girona losing Savio to Manchester City. After their triumph in the 2024 Copa del Rey, where they defeated both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao enters this season with renewed confidence. The reigning Copa del Rey champions have also successfully kept star winger Nico Williams at the club, despite strong interest from Barcelona, and are counting on their new No. 10 to maintain his stellar form following Euro 2024.
Girona, Sevilla, Valencia, and Villareal have also made significant changes to their squad this season, and expect better results in the coming season. Real Sociedad, Real Betis, and Alavez will try to keep their stellar form in the previous season and fight for a spot in the next UCL tournament. These clubs have given Los Blancos tough competitions in the last two seasons and the defending champions would look forward to beating the teams to another La Liga trophy, especially with reinforced attacking options.
Los Blancos’ Summer Transfer Updates
It’s been a super eventful Transfer window for the Los Blancos after bagging the World’s most sought-after player – Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from French Giants PSG. The arrival of young Endrick from Palmairas has also increased the Spanish Giants attacking options for the coming season and their opponents would surely have something to worry about.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a transfer target for Real Madrid for the longest time and current reports show that the Reds are confident of getting the England International team player to extend his contact with them. The La Liga Giants are in dire need of a replacement for Dani Carvajal who is at the wrong side of his 30s. Los Blancos are also considering Brazil’s Victor Reis as a replacement for Nacho Fernandez, who left the club at the end of last season.
Arsenal are keen to sign Rodrygo from the Spanish Giants following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. Mikel Arteta wants a new No.9 to lead his attack this season and has identified the Brazilian as a potential option. Rodrygo whose contract in Madrid runs till 2028 would cost the Gunners a fortune, should they decide to pursue a deal.
Real Madrid Upcoming Games
- Real Mallorca vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 18th August 2024, Visit Mallorca Estadi, 20:30)
- Real Madrid vs. Real Valladolid (Sunday, 25th August 2024, Santiago Bernabéu, 16:00)
- Las Palmas vs. Real Madrid (Thursday, 29th August 2024, Estadio de Gran Canaria, 20:30)
- Real Madrid vs. Real Betis (Sunday, 1st September 2024, Santiago Bernabéu, 20:30)
- Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 15th September 2024, Reale Arena, 16:00)
Get Available Los Blancos Tickets!
Available Real Madrid Tickets are currently in high demand. Mark your calendar for the upcoming games and reserve a spot at the venues for yourself and your loved ones. Alternative marketplaces remain your best spot for getting a place in the Action. Secure your tickets quickly and explore seat maps across the stadiums, compare prices, and pick the best spots for the experience of a lifetime.
Real has started their 2024/25 season on a positive note. On Sunday, they begin their title defense in the Spanish La Liga in a bid to extend their historic dominance in the competition to thirty-seven. They remain favorites to win the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League for a second season in a row, but would first have to navigate through a changed and more challenging Tournament set-up which would be announced in Monaco on Friday, August 30. Carlo Ancelotti acknowledges his star subbed team and nothing short of a recurring success like last season is expected with the arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick.
With few covered injuries already recorded before the start of the season, Real Madrid would have to prioritize player fitness and schedule this season to avoid last season’s injury woes. Be Live to witness all the on-field drama and see your favorite stars in action. Buy the fast-selling Real Madrid tickets early, and cheer Los Blancos on their journey to victory in the 2024/25 season.
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