La Liga BBVA Review Season 2013/2014, Episode 1

The Spanish La Liga kicked off this weekend with not too many surprising results. Both Spanish powerhouses registered wins although Madrid's was laboured and Barcelona's was irritatingly easy.

BARCELONA 7 LEVANTE 0

Barce picked off where they left it last season with a resounding display at the Camp Nou. Alexis Sanchez opened scoring in the second minute and was followed up by goals from Leo Messi 12, 42, Daniel Alves 23, Pedro 26,72 and and Xavi Hernandez on 45 mins. It was an impressive display from Tata Martino's side and a complete 90 minutes dominance from the Catalans. Levante however were terrible and defending like that surely deserves a mauling.Hector Rodas had a match to forget and they must perform better to avoid relegation.

REAL MADRID 2 REAL BETIS 1

Real Madrid got all three points at the Bernabeu but it was a laboured and somewhat shaky display from Carlo Ancelotti's team. Diego Lopez was given the nod ahead of Iker Casillas and Isco was handed his league debut alongside Daniel Carvajal at right back. Jorge Molina gave the Andalusians a shock lead following great work from Cedric Mabwati. Karim Benzema restored parity, converting Marcelo's cross. It was a dissapointing display from the Whites's especially from Cristiano Ronaldo, who balloned several shots into the air or straight at the keeper. It was however Isco the new boy who saved Madrid's blushes, powering home a header from a Marcelo cross on 86 mins. He was one Madrid's better performers and it is evident Carlo Ancelotti still has work to do with the defence as shaky as ever.

VALENCIA 1 MALAGA 0

Valencia got their league campaign off to a winning start thanks to a goal from captain Ricardo Costa. New manager Miroslav Djukic handed starts to new recruits Helder Postiga and Javi Fuego and his opposite number Bernd Schuster gave starts to Marcos Angeleri, Roberto Chen, Fernando Tissone and Sergi Dader. It was tightly fought encounter but Willy Caballero's howler gave Valencia the win. Flapping at corner, he dropped the ball allowing an unmarked Ricardo Costa gratefully smash home the winner on 64 minutes.

IN OTHER GAMES

Real Sociedad began their campaign with a win, dispatching Madrid outfit Getafe 2-0.
Goals from the impressive Carlos Vela and Harris Seforovic were enough for the Basque side to start their league campaign with a win.

Athletic Bilbao began life without Marcelo Bielsa with a 2-1 win against Real Valladolid. New manger Ernesto Valverde handed starts to Kike Sola and Benat. Bilbao took the lead through Markel Susaeta but Valladolid equalized three minutes after through Patrick Ebert on 31 mins. The impressive Iker Munian stole all three points for Bilbao on 50 mins.

Granada beat Osasuna away at Pamplona 2-1. Youssef El Arabi opened scoring for Granada on 38 mins and Hassan Yebda doubled the lead on 45 +2 mins. Paxti Punal pulled one back on 58 mins but the away team held on for all 3 points.

Ateltico began life without Radamel Falcao with a hard fought 3- 1 win over Sevilla. In a feisty encounter which saw nine players booked, Diego Simeone's side took the lead
through Diego Costa but Sevilla equalised minutes through Diego Perotti. Diego Costa handed Atleti the lead once again 10 minutes from time and Cristian Rodriguez scored a third in stoppage time, ensuring all three points.

Rayo Vallecano thrashed new boys Elche 3-0.

Newly promoted Villareal and Almeria played out an entertaining 2- 3 win for the Yellow Submarines.

Celta Vigo and Espanyol played out an entertaining 2 - 2 draw.

RESULTS

Sociedad 2 0  Getafe 

Valladolid 1 2 Athletic Bilbao 

Valencia 1 0 Malaga 

Barcelona 7 0 Levante 

Osasuna 1 2 Granada

Real Madrid 2 1 Real Betis

Sevilla 1 3 Atletico Madrid 

Rayo Vallecano 3 0 Elche 

Almeria 2 3 Villarreal 

Celta Vigo 2 2  Espanyol 

TABLE

That's its folks. Join us next week as we bring you a weekly roundup of La Liga results. Till then stay Sporty!!!