The most expensive player in Barcelona's history will take to the field for the first time on Saturday as Ousmane Dembele debuts in a Catalan derby against Espanyol.SBOBET
Atletico Madrid travel to a revitalised Valencia in the headline clash of the weekend, whilst there is an early start
Here, AFP Sports looks at five things to watch from the La Liga weekend.
Dembele a cure for FIFA virus?
The arrival of the 105-million-euro ($125 million) Frenchman is a much-needed tonic for Barca in the midst of continuing institutional chaos with ongoing public clashes between the board and leading players.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu claimed new contracts for Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, whose deals expire next summer, were a matter of time on Tuesday only for Iniesta to flatly deny that claim a day later.
On the field Barca need to ensure they don't suffer their habitual hangover from international breaks known locally as the "FIFA virus".
This time last year Barca suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez started on the bench following their international commitments..SBOBET
With Messi and Suarez only arriving back in the Catalan capital on Thursday after two crucial World Cup qualifiers in South America, Espanyol will rarely have a better chance for a first win at the Camp Nou since 2009.
Acid test for Atletico
It has been a highly promising week for Atletico as inspirational coach Diego Simeone extended his contract till 2020, whilst the pitch was laid among finishing touches to the club's new 68,000 capacity stadium.
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