Madrid: Less than a month after Spain won the World Cup, La Liga is the first of Europe’s big domestic leagues to kick off this weekend, though in muted fashion. One game has been postponed and defending champion Barcelona and Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid won’t play until the following weekend because they had players return later from the World Cup.
A fungus outbreak on the field caused Celta Vigo’s home opener against Osasuna on Sunday to be postponed to Aug. 27. Barcelona, chasing a third straight Spanish league title, will visit Elche on Aug. 23. Real Madrid, revamped under Mourinho after a second consecutive season without a major title, will start at Espanyol on Aug. 22.
