Real Madrid’s victory on Saturday was enough to keep them at the top of the table after nobody bettered their result on Sunday. Sevilla were the only other team to win by a margin of one goal, a 0-2 victory at Espanyol taking them up to second spot. The Catalans can be forgiven for concentrating more on their up coming Europa League play-off ties, and goals by Reguilón and Nolito at the end of the first and second halves gave new coach Julen Lopetegui a first victory. Elsewhere Atlético Madrid won 1-0 against Getafe (no change there then!), Morata heading in Trippier’s cross for the only goal, and then seeing David Soria save his penalty later on. Betis (with ten men for over 80 minutes after keeper Joel was sent off) lost 1-2 to Valladolid, and Alavés won 1-0 against Levante, Joselu the scorer there. (18.08.19)
Real Madrid top the table pending Sunday’s games after a 1-3 win at Celta on Saturday afternoon. A reprieved Gareth Bale set up Benzema for the opener early on, and although Modric was sent off after the break, Kroos and Lucas Vázquez added two more before Losada got a late consolation for the hosts. Elsewhere there were good results for all three newly promoted teams, Mallorca beating Eibar 2-1, Osasuna winning 0-1 at Leganés, and Granada drawing 4-4 in a high scoring game at Villarreal. A 1-1 draw as well between Valencia and Real Sociedad, Oyarzabal saving a point for the visitors with an injury time penalty after Gameiro (who missed a penalty himself) had given the Ches a second half lead. (17.08.19)
A big surprise on the opening day of the new season, defending champions Barcelona losing 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Friday evening. With Messi out injured, and Luis Suárez also limping off, the Catalans were unable to find a way past Unai Simon, and with two minutes to go veteran substitute Aduríz got the only goal with an acrobatic scissors kick. (16.08.19)