La Liga 2023-24: Focus on Sevilla in key survival battles in Spanish top-flight
Wednesday is a key day for the future of three (and perhaps four) clubs battling to avoid relegation from La Liga 2023-24.
Wednesday is a key day for the future of three (and perhaps four) clubs battling to avoid relegation from La Liga 2023-24.
Real Madrid dropped two points in the race for the La Liga title, being held to a 1-1 draw away to Rayo Vallecano.
The defender had to leave the pitch in the 39th minute of the game, and the tests carried out on Sunday confirmed he will be out of action until at least August.
La Liga wastes no time in kicking off the New Year with the 19th round of matches to be played over the coming three days.
Interestingly, Girona FC play in the final fixture of Matchday 14, on Monday night, so their title rivals will look to put the pressure on before the leaders are back in action.
Abe, voted the J-League's Best Young Player last season, was called into Japan's national team for the first time in June for the Copa America.
The 21-year-old is joining the Spanish club from Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 27 goals and made seven assists in 48 games this season.
Among his former teammates at Barcelona, he admitted to missing Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, and "everyone from that period."
The former Bayern Munich player joined Madrid in 2014, made 233 appearances and won 12 trophies during his five-year spell, including three UEFA Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups and a La Liga crown.
Supporters chanted the goalkeeper's name at Madrid's home pitch Santiago Bernabeu and gave Navas a standing ovation during what could be his last game with the Spanish side, while he knelt prayer-like and pointed to the sky late on Sunday.