Barcelona and Real Madrid ease to comfortable victories with Atletico Madrid needing a late penalty to grab a draw
REIGNING La Liga champions Barcelona kicked off the defence of their title against Gus Poyet’s Real Betis and, somewhat predictably, the Catalans easily took all three points with a 6-2 victory.
New signings Samuel Umtiti, Denis Suarez and Lucas Digne were given a run out and they didn’t disappoint but Claudio Bravo, in what was his last game for the club, won’t be happy that the only thing he did of note was to pick the ball out of the net twice.
Arda Turan, a Lionel Messi brace and a stunning hat-trick for Luis Suarez served notice on the rest of the league that this team are ready to take all before them again.
In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo et al, the responsibility to deliver for Real Madrid fell to Gareth Bale at Real Sociedad.
A flying header, his 4th in four visits to the Anoeta, got the visitors off to a flyer and his 94th minute third sandwiched a delightful Marco Asensio chip, 3-0 a comfortable final score.
Cross town rivals Atletico Madrid needed a 92nd minute penalty from debutant Kevin Gameiro to go ahead against a dogged Alaves side.
The lion’s share of possession and some high-quality link-up play eventually brought its reward for the Rojiblancos but an incredible 95th minute equaliser from Manu Garcia shared the spoils.
Malaga’s 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Osasuna actually opened the 2016/17 campaign at La Rosaleda on Friday night. A dull encounter sprang to life as Juanpi cooly slotted home just before the hour mark, Fran Merida (remember him Arsenal fans) snatching a late equaliser and a point for the visitors.
Ivan Ramis’ second-half strike for Eibar against Deportivo la Coruna – their first-ever goal at the Riazor – looked to be enough until Pedro Mosquera pegged them back and Lucas Perez’s 87th minute penalty saw the hosts emerge victorious 2-1.
Two goals in four minutes settled Villarreal’s trip to Granada, Samu Castillejo for the Yellow Submarine and 19-year-old Ezequiel Ponce –remember the name – unmarked at the back post on debut for the hosts.
It was also new Villarreal manager Fran Escriba’s 14th consecutive La Liga game without a victory, the other 13 ending his time at Getafe last season.
Jorge Sampaoli promised excitement at Sevilla but their 6-4 victory over Espanyol showcased the best and worst that the Andalusians have to offer.
12 goals conceded in their four official games so far hints at problems ahead.
At El Molinon, Sporting Gijon defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-1 (Cop, Rodriguez), though the game will sadly be remembered more for the referee having to stop proceedings for racist chanting aimed at Athletic’s Inaki Williams, whose late consolation wasn’t enough.
Leganes play their first-ever game in the Spanish top flight on Monday night against a Celta Vigo side that have lost talisman Nolito – something that could hit the hosts hard.
Valencia then wrap up week one against Las Palmas but whether Messrs, Alcacer, Mustafi and Alves play a part is anyone’s guess.
Los Che have already lost Andre Gomes, Alvaro Negredo and Pablo Piatti, leaving Pako Ayestaran a difficult challenge before their campaign is even underway.