The league kicks off on August 21 with the trip to La Rosaleda. The game that ended last season was inconsequential, but the league opener promises to be a cracking encounter between a team that has just spent big money on new signings like Van Nistelrooy, Toulalan, Joaquín and Mathijsen and the defending champion.

First clásico before Clubs World Cup

For the first time in five years, the first clásico of the season is at the Bernabéu, on December 10 or 11. That will be just before the European champions fly off to Japan to take part in the Clubs World Cup on December 14 or 15. Barça will be at home to Madrid on April 21 or 22.

Late derby

There will be a longer wait for the local derbies with Espanyol. The first, in Cornellà, will not be until January 8, 2012. Barça will be at home to their city rivals in the second to last game of the season, on May 5 or 6.

Betis closes campaign

Barça will end the 2011/12 season at newly promoted Betis. Their last trip to the Villamarín was for the quarter finals of the last Copa del Rey. The Andalusians won 3-1, but the Catalans had already as good as secured qualification with a 5-0 win in the first leg. Barça have not played a league game against the green and whites since 2008/09 (2-2).

Tough schedule

Because of the European Championship next season, the next Liga will be more compact than the last, starting on August 21 and ending on May 13. There will be four midweek matches, at Valencia (September 21, Mestalla), home and away to Granada (October, 26, Los Cármenes and March 21, Camp Nou) and versus Getafe (April 11, Camp Nou).

Barça's schedule