LaLiga: when it returns, fixture schedule, dates of games

When Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez gave the green light for the return of professional football, which was to coincide with most of the country’s provinces being in phase 3 of the lockdown easing, training focus increased. With the starting pistol now set, and LaLiga’s top clubs taking their places on the blocks, we consider how the final 11 matchdays will take us to the finish line.

LaLiga’s completion calendar

Barcelona lead the way with a two point advantage over Real Madrid, there's just five points separating the next five places, and it's almost as tight down the bottom, as the next set of fixtures, matchday 28, is upon us. These game will be played the weekend of 12-14 June, just as LaLiga authorities had wanted all those weeks ago, and it will make it 90 days since the state of alarm was initiated.

The safety protocols will be in place, including the games being played behind closed doors and five substitutions being allowed per team, and there will be the excitement of the Seville derby to get things going. Sevilla vs Betis is the big match to resume the championship following the coronavirus break kicking off on Thursday evening.

Confirming the schedule

The aim is to finish the league the weekend of 25-26 July, to leave the month of August solely for European competitions. UEFA chief Ceferin had asked leagues to have their business tidied away by 29 July so this would be met.

A gap of 72 hours must be kept between games of the same club and this will still allow the penultimate round of fixtures to be played 17-19 July. Teams would then have one week before playing the final game of the season, on 25 July. The remaining 11 matchdays will be completed in just 45 days.

Time slots were always going to be another factor - considering that it will be during the Spanish summer heat - but where possible a sensible approach is being taken to account for the difference in temperature between more northerly regions and those in the hotter areas. No doubt the additional substitutes will be welcome additions, as would water breaks.

Check out the full fixture list and how the LaLiga table stands.