Real Madrid will play Barcelona in a November El Clasico as the 2015-16 La Liga fixtures are announced

  • The new La Liga season starts on August 23 with Barcelona away to Athletic Bilbao, and Real Madrid away to Sporting Gijon
  • Rafael Benitez's first El Clasico in charge of Real Madrid falls on November 8 at the Bernabeu
  • The second El Clasico match will be at Barcelona's Nou Camp on April 3

New Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez will oversee his first El Clasico La Liga match in charge of Los Blancos on November 8, at the Bernabeu.

The reverse league fixture falls in the spring of 2016, with Barcelona hosting Real in a potentially crucial April 3 tie, with merely seven games before the end of the season.

Luis Enrique's treble-winning Blaugrana begin their domestic title defence away at Basque side Athletic Bilbao on August 23 - their third game in a week against Ernesto Valverde's men, given the two teams' two-legged Super Cup tussle.

Lionel Messi scored in the game in which Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to claim La Liga title last season

Lionel Messi scored in the game in which Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to claim La Liga title last season

Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Nou Camp in a potentially crucial April 3 tie

Barcelona welcome Real Madrid to the Nou Camp in a potentially crucial April 3 tie

LA LIGA FIXTURES: DAY ONE

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona

Malaga vs Sevilla

Levante vs Celta Vigo

Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano vs Valencia

Espanyol vs Getafe

Deportivo vs Real Sociedad

Granada vs Eibar

Real Betis vs Villarreal

Atletico Madrid vs Las Palmas 

Benitez will bring his new-look side to Sporting Gijon's El Molinon stadium on the opening day, while Malaga invite Sevilla to La Rosaleda for an Andalucian derby.

On the last day of the 2015-16 campaign, May 15, Real travel to Galicia to play Deportivo La Coruna, while Barcelona also finish the season away from home at Granada, who finished 17th in La Liga last season.

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid begin the season at home to Las Palmas and end it at home to Celta Vigo.

Atletico, who finished last season 16 points off Barcelona, in third, take on Real at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4 and the Bernabeu on February 28.

Click HERE to see the full La Liga fixture list. 

Atletico take on Real at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4 and the Bernabeu on February 28

Atletico take on Real at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4 and the Bernabeu on February 28

Cristiano Ronaldo's Real (No 7)  take on Messi's (left) Barcelona at the Bernabeu in November

Cristiano Ronaldo's Real (No 7) take on Messi's (left) Barcelona at the Bernabeu in November

 

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