Barcelona started their new era without Lionel Messi with a comfortable 4-2 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday (15). They kicked off the game with a goal from Gerard Pique early on. Danish striker Martin Braithwaite added a brace either side of half-time to make it 3-0 at the hour mark. Sociedad made a comeback into the game in the last ten minutes with two goals in a space of three minutes through Julen Lobete Cienfuegos and Mikel Oyarzabal but a late goal from Sergi Roberto sealed the win for the Catalan club.
Real Madrid started their new season with new manager Carlo Ancelotti with a 4-1 win over Alaves. Karim Benzema added two goals in the season opener while Nacho and Vinicius Jnr. added a goal each for the Madrid team. Interestingly, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale started for Real, but they were taken off by Ancelotti after a disappointing performance.
The reigning champions Atletico Madrid won their tie against Celta Vigo by 2-1 on Sunday. Angel Correa added two goals to his tally, carrying his good form from the previous game. Out of the three promoted teams Mallorca and Espanyol drew their opening games while Rayo Vallecano, lost to Sevilla 3-0.
* Bundesliga: Bayern and Leipzig start on the backfoot
Robert Lewandowski came for the rescue for the reigning Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich in their season opener against Monchengladbach on Saturday (14). Bayern were trailing by the 10th minute when Alassane Plea put Monchengladbach ahead. Lewandowski levelled for the champions minutes before the break and the score remained the same until the final whistle.
RB Leipzig started off the new season with a defeat at the hands of Mainz. The game only had one goal which was scored by Moussa Niakhate, in the first half. Erling Haaland was amongst the scorers In Dortmund’s opening game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Haaland scored two while Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard and Giovanni Reyna scored a goal each in the 5-2 victory. The three promoted teams VfL Bochum, Augsburg and Furth all lost their respective games in the first week.