The other side of LaLiga’s asymmetric calendar | OneFootball

Since 2018-19 LaLiga has run an asymmetric calendar, so first and second rounds need not match. AS notes clubs may request away starts for stadium works, festivals or player commitments.

This season Villarreal played three away, drawing twice and losing once, then lost at home to Depor. Levante started away, lost two, then beat Betis 5-2. Real Sociedad lost twice away, then beat Espanyol 2-1 at home.

In 2018-19 Real Sociedad and Huesca began with three away games, both finishing 1-1-1. The next year up to six clubs sought away starts, Real Madrid’s second game was at home and Eibar went 0-1-2 away.

The pandemic reshaped 2020-21, delaying Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Getafe and Elche. Levante’s staggered start brought a 4-2 loss at Valencia, a 3-1 win at Osasuna and a February 1-1 draw with Atletico. Atletico won the title with 86 points, two clear of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid repeatedly used away-first runs during Bernabéu works. One campaign started 2-1-0 and ended with the league by 13 points, the switch also placing some home dates later. In 2022-23 Madrid again opened away, winning at Almería, Celta and Espanyol, while Villarreal started similarly, yet Barcelona won with 88 points.

Later Madrid again opened with three away before hosting Getafe in round four and won that league with 95 points. Another year Barcelona front-loaded 10 away games, did not return to Camp Nou and won with 88, four ahead of Real. In 2025-26 Barcelona and Betis requested away starts, Barcelona were champions and Betis finished fifth.

Source: AS

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”