Posted by Stephen Kuzner

By Stephen Kuzner - WFD Fan Correspondent

Stop! Hold the presses! Madrid drew with Mallorca. Barcelona has won La Liga BBVA! If it was only that simple. At the end of Jornada 1 of La Liga, Atlético Madrid sits atop the La Liga table. Los Colchoneros (The Mattress-makers) can sleep well tonight after trouncing Sporting Gijón 4-0. Diego Forlan has not lost his form since the World Cup. Lionel Messi and Ronaldo have a definite third challenger to the Pichichi. Atlético showed well this opening week. It would be great if they could push for the title, but alas we are in but August.

Another step down the table at #2, we see Sevilla. They took-out on Levante 4-1 what Barcelona took-out on them during the Supecopa and what Braga did sending Sevilla to the Europa League. Not until slot #3 do we see Barcelona and Real Madrid at #12. Print-out this table, frame it, and hang it on a wall. It will not last. Aah, beauty of early tables. But, what did we learn this week about La Liga?

Supporters of Atlético have a lot to be optimistic about. They can build-on the momentum of the Europa League and the European Super Cup wins as well as Forlan's form. That just sounds nice, Forlan's form. Kun Agüero and Forlan's chemistry will only grow with another year together. New signings Godín, Filipe Luis, Mario Suárez, Fran Mérida, and Diego Costa will blend-in as the year progresses. The best thing is Forlan staying-put at Atlético. He seems to have found a home there. He doesn't want to go to England and doesn't figure into a Real Madrid or Barcelona squad. Atlético fits Forlan and Forlan fits Atlético.

David Villa looked natural with Barcelona. A few things to notice from their win included: Messi playing-up the middle, a midfield of Seydou Keita, Sergio Busquets, and Xavi that contained as much steal as creativity, and probably most important for Barcelona, Victor Valdez's fine form. Periodic holes at the back should be a concern. So, Mascherano is in and Zlatan is out. Both seemed moves inevitable if you think about it. As much as Zlatan believed in his Barcelona destiny, his immense skills-set did not complement the Barca style. He'll dominate again in Italy. Mascherano will do well with Barcelona. The big fear is that he is a red-card waiting to happen, but the reality of it is that he has the distribution skills that Barcelona requires. Also, the style of play in the La Liga is more technical than the speedy and physical Barclays Premier League. This will suit him as well.

Don't read much in Real Madrid's tie with Mallorca. Two years ago Barcelona started-off with a tie at Numancia and a loss at Racing Santander and then won the league and 6 trophies. Mourniho's Madrid will go on a run soon enough that worry everyone. Valencia looked like they won't have too much trouble making-up for the goals lost to David Villa and David Silva's departures. Aritz Aduriz's header was superb and Joaquín had a brace. Athletic Bilbao got a 1-nil victory over Hercules. Expect more of these from Bilbao. Hercules signing David Trezeguet is intriguing and Trezeguet finds ending his playing days in Spain to be 'adventurous". Add Trezequet to Nelson Haedo Valdez and Hercules looks like a team that may stay up this year. A much anticipated Villarreal failed to deliver against Real Sociedad, another promoted team that looks to avoid the drop. The only other game of note was Osvaldo's brace for Espanyol. Everyone else went nil-nil. La Liga's first week had it all. Blow-outs, grid-outs, and some surprises. Let's hope some unpredictability creeps into the season as well.



Please send any feedback to skuzner@mail.com.