La Liga MD5 Preview: Real Sociedad host Real Madrid as Barcelona travel to Girona

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A Catalan derby between Girona and Barcelona is the feature clash of Matchday 5 in the 2024-25 La Liga season, while Real Madrid will face a testing clash away to Real Sociedad.

Girona, who enjoyed a remarkable season in 2023-24, will be looking to continue the dominance they established over Barca: The Blanquivermells won 4-2 both away and at home in their two La Liga matches against the Blaugrana last term.

In fact, the result of the second match – held at the Municipal de Montilivi Stadium, as this upcoming fixture will be – in May 2024 officially dethroned Barcelona as league champions, handing the title to Real Madrid.

Some ‘revenge’ will therefore be in order for the Catalan heavyweights, who have made a promising start to this campaign under Hansi Flick and will be keen to continue that momentum straight after the international break.

“We have had a different rhythm since the pre-season, and it has been important to have Pedri in midfield – he allows us to play in a different way because of his use of the ball,” explained Flick. “But there is still so much we need to work on and improve. The players have a good attitude in this regard, and I am optimistic for this team’s fortune.”

Reigning champions Real Madrid have also shown glimpses of their awesome potential, but they will need to go up a gear or two for the challenge of playing away in the Basque country against Imanol Alguacil’s well-drilled Real Sociedad.

“I expect a strong Madrid, regardless of who’s on the field, because they have a great squad. They’ve consistently shown their quality,” said Alguacil. “To be honest, what others do matters least to me. What’s important is our own performance. Madrid is a big team, no matter their circumstances, they always play to win.”

This round of La Liga action will also feature a potential thriller between Atletico Madrid and Valencia in the Spanish capital; Mallorca will look to claim the scalp of Villarreal at the Palma de Mallorca Stadium; and Sevilla will back themselves to claim all three points when they welcome Getafe to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

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Broadcast details:

Friday 13 September

  • 21:00: Real Betis v Leganes – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 14 September

  • 14:00: Mallorca v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 16:15: Espanyol v Deportivo Alaves – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 18:30: Sevilla v Getafe – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 21:00: Real Sociedad v Real Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Sunday 15 September

  • 14:00: Celta Vigo v Real Valladolid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 16:15: Girona v Barcelona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 19:30: Las Palmas v Athletic Bilbao – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
  • 21:00: Atletico Madrid v Valencia – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 16 September

  • 21:00: Rayo Vallecano v Osasuna – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3