Sportspundit reflects on the first week of action in the new season of the Spanish Primera Division…..
SATURDAY
Spanish giants Real Madrid featured in the first game of the new Spanish Primera Division season on Saturday evening. Coach Manuel Pellegrini played summer signings Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol right from the start against Galician club Deportivo la Coruna. Madrid were fluid in their approach and showed their attacking instincts from the very first minute.
Raul gave Los Blancos the lead but Riki equalized soon after. Ronaldo scored on his league debut for Madrid from a penalty but Depor pegged back early in the second half through Juan Carlo Valeron. The hosts had the final laugh, though, as Lassana Diarra blasted the ball home from 20 yards on the hour mark.
The second match on Saturday was between two promoted sides, Real Zaragoza and Tenerife. While Zaragoza are supposedly fighting for a Europa League place, Tenerife are fighting for survival and on this occasion Zaragoza went on top, defeating the visitors 1-0 thanks to a Javier Arizmendi strike 17 minutes before time.
SUNDAY
There were seven Liga matches on Sunday and one of them was between Malaga and Atletico Madrid. Malaga have had an incredible season last time around but many think that they could struggle in this campaign, but as per their display against Atleti they really shouldn’t. Atletico are expected to finish in the top four again and with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero leading the line, they might as well fancy themselves having a crack at the title. But they suffered a surprising 3-0 loss to Malaga away as goals from Nabil Baha, Manuel Torres and Xavi Torres inflicted the damage.
Atletico Madrid’s fellow top four contenders Valencia and Sevilla too were in action on Sunday. In fact, the duo confronted each other at the Mestalla in what was one of the most mouthwatering clashes anywhere in Europe this weekend. Valencia prevailed in this battle as they ran away to a 2-0 victory over the Andalucians, thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Pablo. Sevilla also had Frederic Kanoute sent off.
In other matches in the Spanish first division on Sunday, Athletic Bilbao defeated Espanyol 1-0 at home, Real Mallorca beat promoted Xerez 2-0 also at home, Villarreal started their 2009-2010 league campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw away with Osasuna, Getafe beat Racing Santander 4-1 at the Sardinero and Almeria played out an entertaining 0-0 draw with Real Valladolid at home.
MONDAY
Spanish and European champions FC Barcelona played their opening game of the Liga season on Monday as they had UEFA Super Cup commitments on Friday. The Catalans took on Sporting Club de Gijon at Camp Nou and marched to a comfortable 3-0 victory. Bojan Krkic opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Seydou Keita doubled the lead three minutes before half-time and summer recruit Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his debut with just nine minutes left on the clock.