Barcelona prepare, on Friday (19th August), to get their new La Liga season under way at home to Real Betis this weekend.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Luis Enrique Martinez, head coach of FC Barcelona:

"(La Liga) is the tournament that more or less says what you have done throughout the season. And that is a clear stimulus for us. We play the first match at home against (Real) Betis. They present many changes, not only in the number of players but also in their ideas as they have a new coach. As we've seen they've achieved very good results during the pre season. So, no doubt, they will generate problems and difficulties that we will have to surmount."

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Luis Enrique Martinez, head coach of FC Barcelona:

"We start the league as favourite because we are the current title holders. But as the league starts today we all have the same number of points. The favourites are the same as always, the big teams with winning chances. Of course there is room for surprises. But we have to wait until the end to see who the champion is, who's been better and who's been the most regular. Our goal is to win it for the third consecutive year. Something that hasn't happened many times in the history of Barca. And that is a motivation."

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Luis Enrique Martinez, head coach of FC Barcelona:

"The difference between this squad and previous ones is their capacity of reinvention and remaining competitive each training. What it is clear today is the conquered titles are very nice but they belong to the past. A past that makes us feel proud and happy. But professional and high level football lives of the present and the immediate future. And the present says that we have won the Spanish Super Cup and we have more titles at stake and we must start working on it right now."