La Liga Table 2015 Week 1: Opening Standings Following Friday's Results

Spanish top flight football is back in business, as Sevilla clung on to earn a 0-0 draw at Malaga on Friday despite Steven N'Zonzi being sent off on his league debut for the club.

It was an intriguing match that whet the appetite for what is likely to be a fascinating weekend of fixtures. Barcelona face Athletic Club for the third time in nine days as they bid to defend their La Liga crown, while Real Madrid’s first competitive clash under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez will be against Sporting Gijon.

Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell took a look at how the season is set to pan out:

They’re just two of nine enticing fixtures to come. Here’s a reminder of how Sevilla’s win came about on Friday and a closer look at what to expect from the opening weekend.

R	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Sevilla	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
2	Malaga	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
3	Athletic Club	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Atletico Madrid	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Barcelona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Celta Vigo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Deportivo La Coruna	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Eibar	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Espanyol	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Getafe	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Granada	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Las Palmas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	Levante	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Rayo Vallecano	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	Real Betis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
16	Real Madrid	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
17	Real Sociedad	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
18	Sporting Gijon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	Valencia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
20	Villarreal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Date	Time (BST)	Fixture
Friday, August 21	7:30 p.m.	Malaga 0-0 Sevilla
Saturday, August 22	5:30 p.m.	Espanyol vs. Getafe
Saturday, August 22	5:30 p.m.	Deportivo la Coruna vs. Real Sociedad
Saturday, August 22	7:30 p.m.	Atletico Madrid vs. Las Palmas
Saturday, August 22	9:30 p.m.	Real Vallecano vs. Valencia
Sunday, August 23	5:30 p.m.	Athletic Club vs. Barcelona
Sunday, August 23	7:30 p.m.	Sporting Gijon vs. Real Madrid
Sunday, August 23	9 p.m.	Levante vs. Celta Vigo
Sunday, August 23	9:30 p.m.	Real Betis vs. Villarreal
Monday, August 24	7:30 p.m.	Granada vs. Eibar

Sevilla Scrap to a Draw in Opener

JORGE GUERRERO/Getty Images

Sevilla will have been hoping to build on a strong 2014-15 with a positive start to the league campaign, but they will have been delighted to secure a 0-0 draw against Malaga in the Andalusian derby

Although they would have been pleased with a point in the end, things could have been so much better for the visitors had Kevin Gameiro had his shooting boots on in the opening 45 minutes.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaJose, sadly, missing clear-cut chances is nothing new for the striker:

Tasked with filling the void left by the departed Carlos Bacca, the Frenchman squandered a plethora of chances, three of which he should have done much better with, in the first half to put Unai Emery’s team in front. But Malaga also missed their fair share of opportunities, as the game was somehow goalless after the break.

JORGE GUERRERO/Getty Images

The second period saw both teams settle down a little bit, but N’Zonzi seemed beset on making an impact on his first league game for the club; unfortunately, it wasn't a positive one. Already on a yellow card, he made another rash challenge in the 71st minute and was given his marching orders.

Here’s a look at the incident, per Fanatix:

"

FT: #Malaga 0-0 #Sevilla N'Zonzi saw red on his #LaLiga debut. Will we see goals tomorrow? Courtesy: SkySports pic.twitter.com/1m0AZ7Ra97

— fanatix (@therealfanatix) August 21, 2015"

From that point on, Malaga poured forward in search of a winning goal. But the depleted visitors were able to hold firm and although they were far from their fluid best in this one, a point away at the La Rosaleda on the opening day is not too shabby a result at all.

Barcelona Hoping to Banish Super Cup Woes

David Ramos/Getty Images

After the squad conceded nine goals in their last three games, there are some lingering concerns that Barcelona, who sashayed to three trophies in thrilling fashion last season, are a little undercooked coming into this term. The campaign opener at the San Mames on Sunday will certainly be a strict test of their current state as they look to avenge a 4-0 loss there in the Super Cup.

They’ll have to go there without their star centre-back too, as Gerard Pique was red-carded in the clash between the two at the Nou Camp on Monday. As such, it will be a massive test of their title credentials.

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez isn’t overly convinced by the squad’s chances of retaining their crown:

"

I’d say the club needs an even bigger miracle than last season to win La Liga. I think it’s lost. https://t.co/7QPr2uYY1H

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 19, 2015"

Real Madrid will be hopeful of taking advantage of any lingering doubts about the champions and, on paper at least, face a much more straightforward opener against Gijon.

It’ll be a big day for Benitez. The much maligned manager has quietly gone about his business in pre-season, giving all of his squad ample chance to make an impression. But this clash against the newly promoted outfit will offer a first significant glimpse into the tactical plans he has for this Los Blancos side.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Mateo Kovacic is the latest new acquisition, and after he signed with the club this week, it’s going to be intriguing to see exactly where he fits into the side. As we can see here courtesy of OptaPaolo, despite his tender years, the Croatia international is a player who has plenty of experience:

Aside from the two La Liga juggernauts, there’s Atletico Madrid to consider. Diego Simeone’s side were unable to defend their crown last season, and while they remain third favourites for the title, in Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto and Filipe Luis, the Rojiblancos have done some tremendous business in the window.

Another side to look out for will be Valencia. Los Che were hugely impressive under Nuno Santo last season, but they’ll be without talismanic defender Nicolas Otamendi this time round. Finding a replacement for him will be difficult, but they remain a very capable side nonetheless.