Women's derby and transfer market: La Liga between excitement and challenges in September 2025

The second matchday of Liga F promises a vibrant and decisive clash: Atlético de Madrid will host Real Madrid at the Ciudad Deportiva de Alcalá de Henares this Friday, September 5, at 8:00 PM. The match comes after contrasting starts for both teams—Las Colchoneras crushed Espanyol 0-5, asserting their dominance, while Las Madridistas drew 2-2 against newly promoted DUX Logroño at Valdebebas.

This Madrid derby is one of the most anticipated matches of the women’s season and will be broadcast live on DAZN, which holds the league’s rights in Spain. The game will also be available for streaming via the DAZN app and website, featuring pre- and post-match statistics, reports, and player interviews. Fans unable to watch can follow the match on radio stations like Radio Marca, Cope, La Ser, RNE, or Onda Cero.

The Ciudad Deportiva de Alcalá de Henares, inaugurated in 2019 with a capacity of nearly 3,000 spectators, is expected to draw a large crowd to support the red-and-whites against their rivals. Marta Huerta de Aza will referee the derby, assisted by Guadalupe Porras, Rocío Puente, and Amy Peñalver, with no VAR in use for this competition.

However, while excitement builds in women’s football, La Liga’s transfer market continues to reflect economic struggles. According to the latest data, Spanish clubs spent €684 million in the summer of 2025—placing them fourth in spending behind the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A, and far below the €1.4 billion invested in the 2019-2020 pre-pandemic season.

Javier Tebas, La Liga’s president, faces significant challenges in revitalizing the domestic market, which has yet to recover to previous levels. Atlético de Madrid leads spending with nearly €176 million on signings like Baena, Hancko, Cardoso, and Raspadori. Meanwhile, Real Madrid made key additions for the Club World Cup, bringing in Trent, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono.

On the other hand, Barcelona has struggled with player registrations, making few signings such as Joan García, Rashford, and Bardghji, while Ter Stegen’s long-term injury has complicated squad planning. Other clubs, like Getafe, had to sell star player Christantus Uche, and Sevilla offloaded key players to register new arrivals like Alexis Sánchez and Azpilicueta.

Among the positive transfer deadline stories, Real Betis surprised fans by re-signing Antony after his loan spell and quickly securing Sofyan Amrabat on loan, snatching him from historic rivals Sevilla. Meanwhile, Athletic Club’s registration of Aymeric Laporte remains uncertain due to FIFA administrative issues, potentially delaying his debut until the winter window.

Finally, Villarreal completed one of their most active transfer windows, generating nearly €200 million in sales and purchases, highlighted by the record €30 million signing of George Mikautadze from Olympique de Lyon. This move underscores the Yellow Submarine’s ambition to compete among La Liga’s elite.

Thus, La Liga balances the growing passion for women’s football—exemplified by this high-stakes Madrid derby—and the economic challenges shaping the transfer market. The upcoming season will demand renewed strategies to sustain competitiveness and appeal, as fans eagerly await the drama and surprises of Spanish football.