MADRID, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- La Liga is back in action after the international break with FC Barcelona ending its long exile from the Camp Nou. Here are four things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1. Happy return for Barcelona?
FC Barcelona's last game in the Camp Nou was in May 2023, and the club's self-imposed exile from its home ends on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao.
Over 45,000 fans will be in the stands for what should be a historic and emotional afternoon, but Barcelona coach Hansi Flick will have to ensure his players are not distracted by the occasion.
Nico Williams should start for Athletic despite his ongoing groin problems and after Barcelona's efforts to sign him in the summer, supporters of the visiting team would no doubt love to see him score in the revamped Camp Nou to spoil Barca's party.
2. Questions hanging over Real Madrid
Defeat away to Liverpool and a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano wouldn't make headlines at most clubs, but would for Real Madrid.
The team's conservative style of play under coach Xabi Alonso and reliance on Kylian Mbappe's goals have both been called into question over the past two weeks.
Mbappe has netted half of Real Madrid's 26 goals in La Liga, but when he had bad days against Rayo and Liverpool nobody else stepped up. Facing Elche, Alonso needs to see players such as Vinicius Jr, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham take more responsibility.
3. Giuliano Simeone vital to Atletico Madrid's trip
Atletico Madrid's visit to Getafe will see two sides that are perfectly drilled in defense go head-to-head in a possibly tense and tight affair.
Games like this are often decided by a moment of magic, be it a free kick from Julian Alvarez, a poached finish from Borja Mayoral or a header from Jose Gimenez. However, Atletico winger Giuliano Simeone could be the player most likely to decide the game.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone's son has shown time after time that he isn't in the team because of who he is, but because of how his plays.
4. Different vibes in Pamplona
Saturday's derby between Osasuna and Real Sociedad promises to be tenser than ever.
Osasuna is conditioned by its dreadful away record of six defeats and just one draw, having dropped close to the bottom three.
Coach Alessio Lisci has swapped between a five and a four-man defense in recent games, and he needs to decide which is best because his side needs an identity at the moment. ■
