Title favorites Real Madrid and Barcelona both slipped to opening day defeats on Sunday as underdogs Deportivo La Coruna and Numancia took the headlines.
Champions Real Madrid sorely missed Brazilian Robinho, excluded from the squad because of his insistence on a move to Chelsea, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against bogey side Deportivo La Coruna. Depor continue to hold the Indian sign over the capital giants who have not won at their Riazor Stadium since the 1991-1992 season.
With Wesley Sneijder injured and new signing Rafael van der Vaart suspended, Schuster drafted in Argentine Gonzalo Higuain. With Robinho missing, Arjen Robben provided the width.
PHOTO: EPA
After just 90 seconds Depor gave Real a shock when Mista, who failed to cut the grade at Real Madrid as a youngster, hit the crossbar. Mista then scored heading home on 26 minutes after some shocking Real defending. Ruud van Nistelrooy equalized two minutes after the interval, but Alberto Lopo restored Depor’s lead four minutes later with a glancing header.
Rivals Barcelona fared little better, with Pep Guardiola’s first league match in charge ending in an embarrassing 1-0 loss to promoted Numancia.
Guardiola, a member of Barca’s 1992 European Cup winning team, has the job of wrestling the title from Real, but the omens do not look good after an insipid display.
Barca were poor travelers last season under Frank Rijkaard and the new manager and season has failed to bring a change in fortune.
Barcelona handed a league debut to Dani Alves — a new signing from Sevilla in the summer — with Lionel Messi starting in attack after inspiring Argentina to Olympic gold.
Numancia took the lead with Mario rifling home on 12 minutes after Barca’s defense failed to deal with a cross from the left.
Atletico Madrid top the table after they followed up their impressive midweek qualification for the Champions League with a crushing 4-0 victory over promoted Malaga on Sunday. Dutch international Johnny Heitinga scored 26 minutes into his league debut and Diego Forlan grabbed a quick fire brace before the interval to leave Malaga down and out. Florent-Sinama Pongolle completed the rout with a debut goal.
For the first time in their history Atletico fielded a starting 11 without any Spanish players — although Argentine Mariano Pernia has dual nationality.
Last season’s runners-up Villarreal were left frustrated as they were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna. Marcos Senna netted on 54 minutes to put Villarreal ahead, but Osasuna leveled 15 minutes later.
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