The new LaLiga season kicks off on Thursday with five days of matches that will see plenty of debuts and a lot to consider. Here are four things to look out for as the 2024-25 season kicks off.

1. Mbappe makes LaLiga debut

The most eagerly awaited LaLiga debut in recent years will be in Mallorca on Sunday when Kylian Mbappe makes his first appearance for Real Madrid in Spain after netting in his side's European Supercup win on Wednesday.

UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid opened the new European season with a 2-0 victory over UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw.

It will be interesting to see whether Mbappe plays on the left of the Real Madrid attack or through the middle, with Vinicius Jr (reportedly the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia) on the left.

Real Madrid have lost Eduardo Camavinga to a knee injury and they are also without Toni Kross who retired at the end of last season, but with Mbappe and Endrick adding extra pace and firepower to last season's title winning side, most of LaLiga will watch to see just what to expect.

2. Problems for Barca and Hansi Flick

FC Barcelona's traditional pre-season Joan Gamper friendly game didn't go to plan on Monday night as a side that contained a lot of B-team players lost 3-0 at home to Monaco with a performance that has set alarm bells ringing.

New coach Hansi Flick is hugely handicapped by his club's economic problems and at the time of writing, Barcelona have only 19 players inscribed in their first team squad and of those 19, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are injured, while Ferran Torres has been given a rest after taking part in both European Championships and Olympic Games this summer.

Barca still haven't been able to inscribe new signing Dani Olmo or defender Inigo Martinez, and unless something unexpected happens, there will be plenty of youngsters for the always difficult visit to Valencia.

3. Can Girona do it again?

Girona finished last season in an impressive third place to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history, but this season's squad doesn't yet look as solid as the team that so impressed last time around.

The loans of Savinho, Yan Couto, Pablo Torre and Eric Garcia have ended, while top scorer Artem Dovbyk and midfielder Aleix Garcia have been sold and so far replacements, such as Bryan Gil, Donny van der Beek and Oriol Romeu, back from a season at Barcelona haven't had time to bed in, with Girona suffering some heavy defeats in pre-season.

Betis promise to be tough opening day rivals and the heat in Seville will also be a factor as Girona look to show that last season wasn't a one-off.

4. Atletico to live up to second top billing?

Atletico Madrid look to have signed well so far this summer, with Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez coming to the club along with central defender Robin le Normand.

A move for Conor Gallagher from Chelsea has suffered an unexpected setback and he may not be available for Monday's visit to Villarreal.

It's a quick return to face his former club Sorloth, who have added Ayoze Perez from Betis to help replace him.

Atletico have the second highest spending ceiling in Spain and have to target a challenge to Real Madrid's dominance, but if they are to do that, this is the sort of place where they need to take three points. 

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