The 2022/23 LaLiga schedule has been released, with all the fixtures for Real Madrid set by date until October. Complicating things will be the World Cup in the middle of the season in Qatar, and we all know dates are subject to change. However, we more or less know about when the rest of the matches of the campaign will be set, as Los Blancos look to defend their 35th league title.
So let’s examine the biggest matches of the upcoming season for Real Madrid, taking a look at the 10 most important fixtures based on the opponent, venue, date, and time in the campaign.
Matchday 6 at Atletico Madrid, Sept. 18
We begin with Real Madrid’s first big test of the season, which will be against bitter crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos defeated them with ease 2-0 in the first fixture of the season, and they played most of their backups in the second fixture of the 2021/22 season at the Wanda, not even trying. They had already won LaLiga.
Atleti, however, were the winners in the 2020/21 season, and although they took a step backward in 2021/22 with a host of new faces, you can never count Los Rojiblancos out. This match at the Wanda will be a good early test for the Merengues, and it will help show us just how tough Atleti will be in 2022/23.
Matchday 9 vs. Barcelona, Oct. 16
The first Clasico of the 2022/23 season will occur in October, as is pretty much customary. Barcelona have made serious strides since losing five straight head-to-head meetings with Real Madrid. They knew they were catching up after taking Real to the limit in the Spanish Supercup, and then they demolished Los Blancos 4-0 in their second meeting of the 2021/22 LaLiga season.
That said, Barça peaked at that moment, sliding thereafter, even getting embarrassed in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid saw that as a wake-up call while Barça were still celebrating, fixing their mistakes, righting the ship with a Remontada in the Champions League against PSG, and then securing LaLiga and winning the Champions League.
But a little revenge at the Santiago Bernabeu to wash away the sour taste of the last Clasico would be nice. Just expect La Blaugrana to bring it, just like they did last time.