A brace from French veteran striker Karim Benzema got Real Madrid off to a flier in La Liga Saturday, his double laying the foundation for a 4-1 victory at Alaves to leave Carlo Ancelotti celebrating the start of his second spell in charge. Eternal rivals Barcelona may have lost Lionel Messi but Real themselves are in a period of transition have seen Zinedine Zidane step down as coach and central defensive linchpins Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane head for Messi’s PSG and Manchester United respectively.RESPECT! Gerard Pique agrees to a significant pay cut to help Barcelona finally register new signingsEven with their big names still on board both of Spain’s biggest clubs were unable to prevent Atletico Madrid from walking off with the title last season. But after initially failing to click in a goalless first half, Real found their rhythm after the restart as the returning Gareth Bale found Eden Hazard who flicked on with his heel for Benzema, skipper in the injured Marcelo’s absence, to volley home on 48 minutes.Bale blotted his copybook with a booking for a high boot thereafter but Real — who featured their only new face in David Alaba — did not allow that to loosen the grip they were steadily taking on the game. Nacho volleyed in from close range following a Luka Modric short corner on 56 minutes and Benzema made it 3-0 and essentially game over just after the hour, scuffing in at the second time of asking after a fine run and assist by Federico Valverde.Bad blood would-be derby kicks off the new La Liga campaign as Valencia scrape three pointsA Joselu penalty for the hosts was a minor blemish after Thibaut Courtois, making his 100th Liga appearance between the posts for Real, brought down John Guidetti. But a Vinicius header applied extra gloss for Real’s fourth in injury time.In other action, Saturday, Cadiz, and Levante parted 1-1 as did Mallorca and Real Betis while the match between Osasuna and Espanyol ended in a goalless stalemate. Atletico starts their title defense Sunday at Celta Vigo in Galicia while Barcelona begins the post-Messi era at the Camp Nou against Real Sociedad while Sevilla host Rayo Vallecano. There are two matches on Monday as Villarreal goes up against Granada while Elche meets Athletic Bilbao. Valencia got the ball rolling Friday and pocketed three points after an early Carlos Soler penalty was enough to see them overcome Getafe 1-0.© Agence France-Presse
LA LIGA – Round 1FridayValencia – Getafe 1-0 (1-0)/Soler/SaturdayOsasuna – Espanyol 0-0Mallorca – Betis 1-1 (1-0)/Olivan 25 – Reina (og) 59/Cadiz – Levante 1-1 (0-1)/Espino 90 – Morales 39/Alaves – Real Madrid 1-4 (0-0)/Joselu 65 – Benzema 48, 62, Nacho 56, Vinicius 90+2/Sunday18.30: (3.90) Celta (3.40) Atletico Madrid (2.00)21.00: (1.75) Barcelona (3.60) Sociedad (4.90)23.15: (1.50) Sevilla (4.10) Rayo Vallecano (7.00)Monday21.00: (1.60) Villareal (3.80) Granada (6.00)23.00: (3.80) Elche (3.10) Athletic Bilbao (2.15)*odds are subject to change