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MADRID, July 16 (Reuters) - Second division champions Numancia host Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in the opening round of matches of the 2008/09 Primera Liga season, the Spanish Football Federation said on Wednesday.
Champions Real Madrid begin their title defence away to Deportivo Coruna and last season's runners-up Villarreal travel to face Osasuna in the matches on the weekend of Aug. 30 and 31.
Promoted Numancia have a tough baptism of fire in their return to the top flight with their first three matches against last season's top three finishers Real, Villarreal and Barca.
"That's nine points with 11 against 11, and we will be fielding a team of fighters," Numancia president Francisco Rubio told the Europa Press news agency.
"We know what our limitations are but we are ambitious. They will be tough games but it was also tough to win promotion, and we achieved that."
The league will stop for the traditional winter break on Dec. 21, before resuming on Jan. 4 and running to the weekend of May 30/31.
Barcelona receive arch-rivals Real at the Nou Camp for the 'clasico' on Dec. 14 and visit the Bernabeu for the return on May 3.
Spain's victory at Euro 2008 last month earned the national team a place in the Confederations Cup in South Africa from June 14-28, 2009, which means the King's Cup final will be held on May 13, instead of after the end of the league campaign.
The season's curtain-raiser, the Super Cup between league champions Real and King's Cup winners Valencia, will be held on Aug. 17 and Aug. 24, with the first leg at the Mestalla.
