How have the title challengers started the season in LALIGA EA SPORTS?

In any football season, the points won or lost in August could prove to be as decisive as those fought over in May, and the squads of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are very much aware of that fact.  So, with two matchdays completed in the 2025/26 LALIGA EA SPORTS campaign, let’s take a very early look at how things stand in the title race and how the usual title challengers have fared. 

FC Barcelona: Goals and points from two games on the road

In the case of defending champions FC Barcelona, they’ve had a great start to the season as they aim to defend their crown. With the Catalan side beginning the season with two away games, Hansi Flick will be delighted to have already collected six points, courtesy of a 3-0 win at RCD Mallorca and a 3-2 comeback at Levante UD. 

The German coach will also be pleased to see his team hasn’t lost its scoring touch. Barça have netted three times in each of their games so far, an even higher average than the 2.68 goals per game they scored en route to the title last term. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Pedri have all gotten on the scoresheet already, so they’re up and running and feeling confident, especially Lamine Yamal as he continues to dazzle with his skills every match. At the other end, new goalkeeper Joan García has slotted in well. Although he conceded two goals against Levante UD, one was through a one-on-one chance and the other was a penalty. 

All in all, Los Azulgranas look strong and look like they’ll put together a strong defence of their title. 

Real Madrid: Mbappé is comfortable leading Xabi Alonso’s attack

This was always going to be a year of change for Real Madrid, with a new coach in the form of Xabi Alonso. It has been a very good start, though, with Los Blancos defeating CA Osasuna 1-0 at home and then winning 3-0 on the road against Real Oviedo. The new coach has admitted there are areas for improvement, but he’ll deep down be delighted with two victories and two clean sheets. 

In attack, Kylian Mbappé looks much more comfortable than he did at this stage last season. It took the Frenchman until Matchday 4 to open his account in LALIGA EA SPORTS in 2024/25, but already he has three goals across the first two matchdays of this campaign. This is a continuation of the fine form he showed at the end of last season, and the Frenchman has now scored 12 of the team’s last 15 league goals. 

If the French striker – who is now wearing the No.10 shirt at Real Madrid – can play to his very best in Xabi Alonso’s formation, Real Madrid fans could have a lot to celebrate this season. 

Atlético de Madrid: The worst start of the Simeone era

Things aren’t so rosy in the other half of the capital, as Atlético de Madrid have suffered their worst start to a league campaign since before Diego Simeone took over as coach in 2011. Having suffered a 2-1 loss at RCD Espanyol before being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Elche CF, Atleti have just one point so far and are already five points behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. If there was hope of a serious title challenge this season, it’s close to being lost already. 

Diego Simeone has claimed that with patience Los Colchoneros can turn things around. With the club having brought in seven new players over the summer months, he may have a point. It can take time for players to fit in and there have already been encouraging signs from some of the new arrivals, such as Dávid Hancko in central defence or Thiago Almada in attacking midfield. Julián Alvarez has scored a beautiful freekick too, to suggest that he will remain a key figure in attack. 

But, Atlético de Madrid may not have much time to allow the summer signings to ease in. They need points quickly, and also have the derby match against Real Madrid coming up in Matchday 7. Atleti need their first win of the season urgently. 

The other contenders: Don’t sleep on Athletic Club and Villarreal CF

Besides the usual three title contenders, last season’s fourth-placed and fifth-placed clubs have also started strong. Both Athletic Club and Villarreal CF have won their first two games of the season and they’ve scored plenty of goals in the process. Even if both teams had the benefit of playing their first two fixtures at home, they’ve kept 100 percent records and could spring a surprise in this season’s title race.