Beckham faces Real opening battle
Madrid - Spanish league defending champions Real Madrid and star signing David Beckham set out in search of a record 30th Spanish league title when the 2003-2004 season kicks off this weekend.
Madrid play Real Betis in their opening match on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Madrid will be playing their first league match under coach Carlos Queiroz. The former Manchester United assistant manager took charge in June after Vicente del Bosque was surprisingly fired after guiding Madrid to the title.
Madrid's unsettled French midfielder Claude Makelele, still reportedly a Chelsea target, is not expected to be included against Betis.
Central defender Francisco Pavon is set to replace Raul Bravo, and Spanish international Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez is injured.
Betis coach Victor Fernandez sounded an ironic note when asked if Madrid have too much talent in attack.
"It must be a real problem when a team can be unbalanced by having too much talent," said Fernandez. "If last year Madrid were the best, then with Beckham they're going to be even stronger."
Fernandez will have five new signings to choose from, including Uruguayan defender Alejandro Lembo, Argentine striker Martin Palermo and the former Madrid striker Jorge "Tote" Lopez.
With Brazilian forward Ronaldinho their new star attraction, FC Barcelona crave better fortunes this season after their sixth-place finish in May, which was their worst placing for 15 years.
The Catalan club kick off with a visit on Saturday to Athletic de Bilbao, who ended up second from bottom last season.
Both clubs are under new coaches.
Frank Rijkaard has taken charge at Barcelona, while Ernesto Valverde has been appointed by Bilbao.
Bilbao's Spanish international forward Joseba Etxeberria predicted that Barcelona, who will be without their suspended Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, won't find it easy.
"Neither Ronaldinho nor any of the others are going to feel comfortable. I'm sure they're in for a hard time," said Etxeberria.
Atletico de Madrid, who finished 11th on their return to the top flight last season, also have renewed confidence after undergoing a transformation during the summer.
Atletico's new coach Gregorio Manzano, who guided Mallorca to their first Copa del Rey last season, is likely to field most of their eight new signings at Sevilla on Sunday. Midfielders Kizito Musampa, Alvaro Novo and Argentine defender Matias Lequi are likely to make their league debuts with Atletico.
One of Sevilla's new signings, Uruguayan international forward German Hornos, has pulled out through injury. His compatriot and striking partner, Dario Silva, is set to play his first game after his summer move from Malaga.
Last season's runners-up Real Sociedad aim to reproduce the form of last season when they play at Espanyol.
Deportivo, third place last season, visit promoted Zara-goza on Sunday without their top marksman Roy Makaay, who moved to Bayern Munich over the summer.
Celta de Vigo, who also on Wednesday made the group stage in Europe's top club competition for the first time, host newly-promoted Murcia on Sunday.
Valencia, who finished a disappointing fifth place last season, will expect to make a good start at home to Valladolid.
Other first-round games this weekend see newly-promoted Albacete take on Osasuna, Racing de Santander up against Mallorca, and Malaga playing Villarreal.