Pep Guardiola has warned his all-conquering Barcelona players that Monday’s visit of Villarreal is when the season starts for real (2/9 Barcelona, 5/1 draw, Villareal 12/1 – match prices).
The Catalans notched up a 12th win under Guardiola’s tenure on Friday when they lifted the Uefa Super Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over FC Porto in Monaco – one month after seeing off bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
The smart money suggests the 4/7 outright favourites will again be the team to beat but Guardiola said his players should take nothing for granted.
He said: “We’ve won two titles and we are very happy with that, now the league will show us if we continue to be as competitive as we have been in recent years.
“This team have to show again what we have shown over the last few seasons. We have made a good start and now we have to get down to the day-to-day work.”
He added: “There’s always room for improvement. I have to be on alert – that’s an obligation of the manager. It takes a long time to build a team and just a moment for it to fall apart.”
The Camp Nou boss faces a selection headache in defence because of injuries and suspensions biting hard.
Gerard Pique, Dani Alves and Adriano are all out while captain Carles Puyol remains a doubt, but new signings Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez could be in line for their Primera Division debuts.
Barca last lost an opening day fixture at home in December 1939 against local rivals Espanyol at Les Corts and completed a La Liga double over the Yellow Submarines last season.
Santi Cazorla and Joan Capdevila have both left the club but coach Juan Carlos Garrido has managed to keep hold of star strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar, who between them netted 50 goals in all competitions last term.
Regarding Monday’s clash, Garrido told the official club website: “Barca have won everything and have won with almost insulting ease against great opponents, but we have high hopes and will try to win.”
Jose Mourinho’s 11/8 second favourites Real Madrid beat Zaragoza 6-0 on Sunday to kick-start the capital club’s chase for a first Primera Division title since 2008.
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