Portuguese Jose Mourinho will play his first match in the Spanish football league during his second stint as Real Madrid's head coach away to Espanyol on August 22, after the royal club's opening match was postponed on Tuesday.

The 'royal club' had been scheduled to open its La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad in the first round, before the match was postponed to August 26.

Barcelona, the defending champion, begins its title defense against Elche on August 23, as its home opener against Athletic Bilbao was postponed to August 27.

La Liga decided to take this step due to the participation of many players from both teams in the World Cup semi-finals taking place in North America.

Atletico Madrid, with some of its players still at the World Cup, will begin its campaign on Wednesday August 19 against Malaga.

The Spanish league competition begins on August 15, with Alaves hosting Getafe, and Rayo Vallecano visiting Sevilla.