Celta Vigo put Atletico Madrid through the works while Real Madrid and Barcelona register comfortable wins on opening gameweek

(Football news) In the first gameweek of the La Liga campaign, the top three title contenders all registered a win. This is the first La Liga since 2003 to not feature Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid failed to win a trophy last season under Zinedine Zidane. After Zidane's resignation, Madrid reappointed Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian straight away lost first choice centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. David Alaba was the addition to the squad. Amidst all that chaos, Los Blancos had an excellent start to the season with a 4-1 win away at Deportivo Alaves. After a goalless first half, Karim Benzema broke the deadlock in the 48th minute. Nacho and Benzema scored in quick succession to make it 3-0 to the visitors in no time. Joselu got a goal back from a penalty conceded by Thibaut Courtois after a sloppy back pass by Eder Militao. Vincius Jr. scored an injury time goal to seal the victory for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid played a defensive style of football in Zidane's second spell, grinding 1-0 victories. Ancelotti made a clear statement about attacking football returning to Santiago Bernabeu with the performance. Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard dominated the wing with some intricate passes and take-ons. David Alaba couldn't have hoped for a better debut at left back as the Austrian got himself an assist to go with a solid defensive performance. Ancelotti will be looking to continue on the same path as Real Madrid play at Levante on Sunday

Also read: Manchester United run riot as Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool clinch 3 points in opening Premier League weekend

The defending champions Atletico Madrid travelled to Celta Vigo. Talisman Luis Suarez started on the bench along with new signing Rodrigo De Paul. Angel Correa gave the title holders a first half lead. In the 64th minute, Iago Aspas converted a penalty after a Marcos Llorente handball. Celta's lead lasted only for only 5 minutes as Angel Correa scored his second of the game. Atletico Madrid successfully defended the lead. Things did get heated at the end when a confrontation between the two teams led to Mario Hermoso and Hugo Mallo being sent off. Atletico Madrid host Elche in the next matchday to continue their title defence.

A Messi-less FC Barcelona hosted Real Sociedad in what turned out to be a goal fest. Gerard Pique scored from Memphis Depay's free-kick to give Barcelona the lead in the 19th minute. Martin Braithwaite scored twice to give Barcelona a comfortable three goal lead. Sociedad turned the tide around after scoring two goals between the 80th and 85th but couldn't score the equaliser. Braithwaite set up Sergi Roberto for an injury time goal to kill Sociedad's hopes. Debutant Memphis Depay had a successful outing while Braithwaite played his best game since his arrival at the Camp Nou. Barcelona have a tricky away fixture against Athletico Bilbao coming up next which will pose a lot of questions to Ronald Koeman.

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