2021–22 La Liga
91st season of La Liga
Football league season
The 2021–22 La Liga , also known as La Liga Santander due to sponsorship reasons, was the 91st season of La Liga , Spain's premier football competition. It began on 13 August 2021 and concluded on 22 May 2022.[ 1] The fixtures were announced on 30 June 2021.[ 2]
On 24 June 2021, the Spanish Council of Ministers resolved that spectators could return to stadiums at full capacity by means of a modification of the royal decree regulating the 'new normality', in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 3]
Atlético Madrid were the defending champions, having won their eleventh title the previous season. Espanyol , Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano joined as the promoted clubs from the 2020–21 Segunda División . They replaced Huesca , Valladolid and Eibar , which were relegated to Segunda the previous season .
Real Madrid secured a record-extending 35th title with four matches to spare on 30 April, following a 4–0 victory over Espanyol.[ 4]
This was the first La Liga season since 2003–04 that did not feature the league's all-time top goal scorer Lionel Messi and long time Real Madrid player and captain Sergio Ramos , who both departed for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
Teams
A total of twenty teams contested the league, including seventeen sides from the 2020–21 season and three promoted from the 2020–21 Segunda División . This included the two top teams from the Segunda División, and the winners of the promotion play-offs .
Teams relegated to Segunda División
The first team to be relegated from La Liga were Eibar , after a 1–4 loss to Valencia on 16 May 2021, ending their seven-year stay in the top tier.[ 5] The second team to be relegated were Valladolid , following a 1–2 home defeat against Atlético Madrid on 22 May 2021, in their final game of the season, ending their three-year stay in the top tier. The third and final team to be relegated were Huesca , after drawing 0–0 against Valencia on 22 May 2021 in their final game of the season, suffering an immediate return to the second division.
Teams promoted from Segunda División
On 8 May 2021, Espanyol became the first side to mathematically be promoted, assured of a return to the top flight following a 0–0 draw against Zaragoza .[ 6] [ 7] The second team to earn promotion was Mallorca , following Almería's 2–3 loss to Cartagena on 18 May 2021. Both teams made an immediate return to the first division after a season away.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] The third and final team to be promoted were Rayo Vallecano , after winning the play-off final 3–2 against Girona on 20 June 2021, returning after a two-year absence.
Stadiums and locations
Location of teams in
2021–22 La Liga
Location of Community of Madrid teams in
2021–22 La Liga
Team
Location
Stadium
Capacity
Alavés
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Mendizorroza
19,840 [ 11]
Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao
San Mamés
53,289 [ 12]
Atlético Madrid
Madrid
Wanda Metropolitano
68,456 [ 13]
Barcelona
Barcelona
Camp Nou
99,354 [ 14]
Cádiz
Cádiz
Nuevo Mirandilla
20,724 [ 15]
Celta Vigo
Vigo
Abanca-Balaídos
29,000 [ 16]
Elche
Elche
Martínez Valero
33,732 [ 17]
Espanyol
Barcelona
RCDE Stadium
40,000 [ 18]
Getafe
Getafe
Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
17,393 [ 19]
Granada
Granada
Nuevo Los Cármenes
19,336 [ 20]
Levante
Valencia
Ciutat de València
26,354 [ 21]
Mallorca
Palma
Visit Mallorca Estadi
24,262 [ 22]
Osasuna
Pamplona
El Sadar
23,576 [ 23]
Rayo Vallecano
Madrid
Vallecas
14,708 [ 24]
Real Betis
Seville
Benito Villamarín
60,721 [ 25]
Real Madrid
Madrid
Santiago Bernabéu
81,044 [ 26]
Real Sociedad
San Sebastián
Anoeta
39,500 [ 27]
Sevilla
Seville
Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
43,883 [ 28]
Valencia
Valencia
Mestalla
55,000 [ 29]
Villarreal
Villarreal
Estadio de la Cerámica
24,890 [ 30]
Team
Manager
Captain
Kit manufacturer
Kit sponsor(s)
Alavés
Julio Velázquez
Víctor Laguardia
Kelme
Zøtapay, XM1 , Integra Energía2 , Silken Hoteles3 , InnJoo3
Athletic Bilbao
Marcelino
Iker Muniain
New Balance
Kutxabank
Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone
Koke
Νike
Plus500 , Ria Money Transfer ,1 Hyundai 2
Barcelona
Xavi
Sergio Busquets
Nike
Rakuten , UNICEF 1
Cádiz
Sergio
José Mari
Macron
Bitci, Jobchain,1 Floki Inu2
Celta Vigo
Eduardo Coudet
Hugo Mallo
Adidas
Estrella Galicia 0,0 , Abanca ,1 AIX Investment Group,2 Grupo Recalvi3
Elche
Francisco
Gonzalo Verdú
Νike
TM Grupo Inmobiliario, Sfidante1
Espanyol
Luis Blanco
David López
Kelme
Riviera Maya , Digi Communications ,1 Reale Seguros,2 Global Racing Oil3
Getafe
Quique Sánchez Flores
Djené
Joma
Tecnocasa Group
Granada
Aitor Karanka
Víctor Díaz
Νike
Platzi , Caja Rural Granada1
Levante
Alessio Lisci
José Luis Morales
Macron
Gedesco, Baleària ,1 Sesderma1
Mallorca
Javier Aguirre
Manolo Reina
Nike
αGEL, Alua Hotels & Resorts,1 Juaneda,1 OK Mobility,2 Air Europa ,3 Specialized 3
Osasuna
Jagoba Arrasate
Oier Sanjurjo
Adidas
Verleal, Clínica Universidad de Navarra3
Rayo Vallecano
Andoni Iraola
Óscar Trejo
Umbro
Digi Communications
Real Betis
Manuel Pellegrini
Joaquín
Kappa
Finetwork, LegacyFX,1 Reale Seguros,2 MuchBetter3
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti
Marcelo
Adidas
Emirates
Real Sociedad
Imanol Alguacil
Asier Illarramendi
Macron
Finetwork, Kutxabank,1 Reale Seguros2
Sevilla
Julen Lopetegui
Jesús Navas
Νike
NAGA, Socios.com,1 3 Valvoline 2
Valencia
José Bordalás
José Gayà
Puma
Socios.com, Samtrade FX,1 Sailun Tyres,2 Škoda 3
Villarreal
Unai Emery
Mario Gaspar
Joma
Pamesa Cerámica, Color Star Technology2
1. ^ On the back of shirt.
2. ^ On the sleeves.
3. ^ On the shorts.
Managerial changes
League table
Source:
LaLiga Santander Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Fair-play points (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played)
[ 59] (C) Champions;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ a b Since the winners of the 2021–22 Copa del Rey , Real Betis, qualified for European competition based on league position, the Europa League berth awarded to the Copa del Rey winners was passed to the sixth-placed team, and the Europa Conference League berth awarded to the sixth-placed team was passed to the seventh-placed team.
^ a b c Head-to-head points: Rayo Vallecano 9, Elche 7, Espanyol 1.
^ a b c Head-to-head points: Getafe 8, Mallorca 5, Cádiz 2.
Results
Source:
La Liga Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
Season statistics
Scoring
Top goalscorers
Top assists
Zamora Trophy
The Zamora Trophy was awarded by newspaper Marca to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio. A goalkeeper had to have played at least 28 games of 60 or more minutes to be eligible for the trophy.[ 64]
Hat-tricks
4 – Player scored four goals.
Discipline
Player
Most yellow cards: 15
Most red cards: 2
Team
Most yellow cards: 123
Most red cards: 8
Fewest yellow cards: 76
Fewest red cards: 0
Awards
Player of the Season
Monthly
Team of the Season
Attendance to stadiums
Restrictions
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, clubs were not allowed to use the total capacity of their stadiums. According to the progress of the pandemic, the capacity allowed each month was decided by the Government of Spain, in agreement with the Autonomous Communities.
August (rounds 1 to 3): 40% of capacity allowed.[ 75] Additionally, the Basque Country reduced it to 20%,[ 76] Catalonia to 30%[ 77] and the Valencian Community limited the attendance to a maximum of 15,000 spectators, always respecting the agreement.[ 78]
September (rounds 4 to 7): 60% of capacity allowed.[ 79] The Basque Country raised its own limit to 30%,[ 80] while Catalonia did to 40%.[ 81]
October (rounds 8 to 12): full capacity allowed, except for Catalonia and Basque Country, whose governments limited the attendance to 60%.[ 82]
Average attendances
Pos
Team
Total
High
Low
Average
Change
1
Barcelona
1,025,652
86,422
20,384
53,982
n/a†
2
Atlético Madrid
887,840
63,874
24,926
46,728
n/a†
3
Real Betis
792,593
52,158
22,590
41,715
n/a†
4
Real Madrid
783,338
60,017
19,874
41,228
n/a1
5
Athletic Bilbao
625,976
43,398
9,394
32,946
n/a†
6
Sevilla
565,355
40,629
13,962
29,756
n/a†
7
Valencia
519,638
38,315
9,868
27,349
n/a†
8
Real Sociedad
509,715
37,066
7,652
26,827
n/a†
9
Espanyol
318,791
25,049
11,095
16,778
n/a†
10
Osasuna
318,314
21,741
6,175
16,753
n/a†
11
Elche
301,090
23,010
9,145
15,847
n/a†
12
Levante
284,260
20,785
9,838
14,961
n/a†
13
Villarreal
271,570
19,050
7,837
14,293
n/a†
14
Cádiz
267,048
19,643
6,941
14,055
n/a†
15
Granada
254,230
17,951
6,267
13,381
n/a†
16
Mallorca
236,246
18,466
6,279
12,434
n/a†
17
Alavés
205,190
16,209
2,896
10,799
n/a†
18
Celta Vigo
190,257
15,714
5,401
10,014
n/a1
19
Getafe
165,341
13,072
4,810
8,702
n/a†
20
Rayo Vallecano
152,660
11,879
583
8,035
n/a1
League total
8,675,104
86,422
583
22,829
n/a†
Source: World Football Notes: 1: Club's stadium had a lower capacity due to renovation works.
See also
References
^ "Hay acuerdo: la Liga 2021-22 empieza el fin de semana del 13-15 de agosto" (in Spanish). Marca. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021 .
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^ "El Publico volvera a los escenarios con total normalidad la proxima temporada" . Mundo Deportivo . 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021 .
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^ "Eibar Relegated from La Liga With Loss at Valencia, Alaves and Getafe Secure Their Top-Flight Spots" . Eurosport. Retrieved 16 May 2020 .
^ "RCD Espanyol are on their way back up to LaLiga Santander" . La Liga. 8 May 2021.
^ "We will have a Catalan derby! Espanyol promoted to the First Division" . FCBN . 8 May 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024 .
^ "Mallorca promoted back to LaLiga" . Diario AS . Reuters. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024 .
^ "Mallorca join Espanyol in La Liga promotion" . ESPN.com . 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024 .
^ "Benevento relegated from Serie A as Real Mallorca promoted to La Liga - European round-up" . Sky Sports . Retrieved 18 January 2024 .
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^ "Estadio Martínez Valero" (in Spanish). Elche CF. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2016 .
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^ "Datos Generales" (in Spanish). Getafe CF. Retrieved 16 May 2016 .
^ "Datos del Club" (in Spanish). Granada CF. 1 July 2019.
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^ "Son Moix Iberostar Estadi (Son Moix)" . StadiumDB. Retrieved 13 July 2019 .
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^ "Estadio de Vallecas" (in Spanish). Rayo Vallecano. Retrieved 20 July 2018 .
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^ "OFICIAL: Javi Gracia, destituido del Valencia" [OFFICIAL: Javi Gracia, dismissed from Valencia]. Besoccer (in Spanish). 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021 .
^ "Official Statement: José Bordalás" . Valencia CF. 27 May 2021.
^ "Así fue la despedida de Bordalás en sala de prensa" . Marca . 26 May 2021.
^ "Michel Gonzalez returns to Getafe for second spell as first team coach" . www.xinhuanet.com . 27 May 2021.
^ "El Real Madrid deja claro que es Zidane el que se marcha: "Es hora de respetar su decisión" " . Marca (in Spanish). 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021 .
^ "Η Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης ανακοίνωσε την επιστροφή του Κάρλο Αντσελότι" . www.sport24.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 1 June 2021 .
^ "Comunicado | Diego Martínez" (in Spanish). Granada CF. 27 May 2021.
^ "Comunicado | Robert Moreno, nuevo entrenador del Granada CF" (in Spanish). Granada CF. 18 June 2021.
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^ Sanderson, Tom (5 November 2021). "FC Barcelona Appoint Club Legend Xavi Hernandez As New Head Coach" . Forbes . Retrieved 5 November 2021 .
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^ "Comunicado oficial del Levante UD" [Official statement from Levante UD] (in Spanish). Levante UD. 29 November 2021. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021 .
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^ "Javier Calleja deja de ser entrenador del Deportivo Alavés" [Javier Calleja stops being the coach of Deportivo Alavés] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021 .
^ "José Luis Mendilibar, nuevo entrenador del Deportivo Alavés" [José Luis Mendilibar, new coach of Deportivo Alavés] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021 .
^ "Álvaro Cervera deja de ser entrenador del Cádiz" [Álvaro Cervera leaves as manager of Cádiz] (in Spanish). Cádiz CF. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022 .
^ "Sergio González, nuevo entrenador del Cádiz" [Sergio González, new manager of Cádiz] (in Spanish). Cádiz CF. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022 .
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^ "Comunicado" [Press release] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022 .
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^ "Reglamento General – Art. 201" (PDF) (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation . Retrieved 3 March 2021 .
^ "Results of Matchday 1 of LaLiga Santander 2021/22" .
^ "Results of Matchday 38 of LaLiga Santander 2021/22" .
^ "All leaders in Goals" . La Liga. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021 .
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^ "Juanmi named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for December" . La Liga. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021 .
^ "Angel Correa named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for January" . La Liga. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022 .
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^ "The 2021-22 La Liga Team of the Season" . Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022 .
^ "Luz verde a la vuelta a los estadios: un 40% de aforo, pero las CCAA podrán reducirlo" (in Spanish). El Confidencial. 4 August 2021.
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^ "Catalunya fija un aforo del 30% para los grandes eventos deportivos exteriores" (in Spanish). Europa Press. 9 August 2021.
^ "La Generalitat Valenciana modifica las restricciones para permitir 15.000 espectadores en los estadios" . ABC. 7 August 2021.
^ "Sanidad y las comunidades elevan los aforos en los estadios: porcentajes en LaLiga y ACB" (in Spanish). Diario As. 1 September 2021.
^ "El Gobierno Vasco amplía el aforo de los estadios al 30%" (in Spanish). 30 August 2021.
^ "El Govern aumenta a un 40% el aforo en estadios al aire libre y mantiene el cierre del ocio nocturno" (in Spanish). El Confidencial. 7 September 2021.
^ "Vuelve el público al 100% a los estadios de LaLiga y al 80% en la ACB" (in Spanish). Marca . 29 September 2021.
La Liga 2021-22 Schedule, Squad
External links
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