MADRID Anthony Rendon Jersey , Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona produced a solid display to win 2-0 away to Alaves, while Real Madrid missed chances and were held to a 2-2 draw at home to a Valencia that has been given a new look. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad and Leganes maintained 100 percent starts to the season during an interesting weekend in the Spanish La Liga before the international break.
1. Asensio is new Real Madrid hero, but Bale and Benzema must improve
Marco Asensio's two goals for Real Madrid in their 2-2 draw at home to Valencia confirmed what some of us suspected already: he is an extraordinary talent and is on the way to being the new hero of the fans in the Santiago Bernabeu. The youngster gets better and better and this season he is destined to be a leader for the side.
However Adam Lind Jersey , if Asensio steps up, then someone will have to step down and at the moment Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are the main candidates after disappointing displays on Sunday. Bale was booed off, while Benzema missed four chances which would have kept the points in Madrid. The fans in the Santiago Bernabeu are not known for their patience, and the pair have to improve fast.
2. This is a different Valencia
It would be wrong to focus all the responsibility for Madrid dropping points on the home side; visitors Valencia also had their part to play in the final result. New coach Marcelino Garcia has brought with him a chance of sucess to a team which last season lacked focus and discipline.
Marcelino's men were well-drilled and hard-working in the Bernabeu and have a nice balance of youth and experience with goal scorer Carlos Soler a player to keep an eye on this season.
Meanwhile Adam Eaton Jersey , Geoffrey Kondogbia has brought added bite to their midfield and Simone Zaza brings enthusiasm to their attack.
With Marcelino at the helm, things look as if they will be very different for Valencia this time around.
3. Little by little, Valverde is doing his job
Ernesto Valverde must have had moments this summer when he questioned the wisdom of joining FC Barcelona as moves to sign players fell through at the last minute. Neymar joined Paris Saint Germain and attempts to sign a replacement dragged on.
Ousmane Dembele finally joined from Borussia Dortmund on Friday and the club is still trying to sign Coutinho from Liverpool. Meanwhile Valverde has got on with the job of trying to stamp his personality on a side, which is also without the injured Luis Suarez.
Although it is more an evolution than a revolution Washington Nationals Hats , he has got to the international break with two wins from two games and must be pleased to see young players such as Gerard Deloufeu, Denis Suarez and Sergi Roberto respond, while Aleix Vidal is also on the way to justifying the coach's faith in him.
The current week should see new faces at the Camp Nou, but so far Valverde has shown why the club signed