MADRID, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both won away in the fifth round of matches in La Liga this weekend. Here are some things we learned in Spain.

1. Real Madrid ride luck and Vinicius needs to learn

Real Madrid won 2-0 away to Real Sociedad on Saturday night, but the scoreline doesn't tell the full story, with both goals coming from the penalty spot after Sergio Gomez's reflex action blocked Arda Guler's effort allowing Vinicius to put his side ahead.

It was hard on Real Sociedad, who had hit the Real Madrid post three times before the opening goal, and with different luck they would have put the game to bed before Vinicius' opener.

The Brazilian then inflamed the home crowd with his 'finger to mouth' - shut-up celebration, earning a tirade of vitriol from the supporters in the Reale Arena, none of which was racist in character.

Vinicius portrays himself as a crusader against racism, but a person who (rightly) asks for respect towards himself also needs to show it to others.

2. Yamal on fire again as Barca impress in Girona

Last season, Barcelona's two defeats to Girona were a symptom of their on-field problems under Xabi Hernandez, as they were twice outplayed by their local rivals.

Barca returned to Girona on Sunday after starting the season with four wins from four games and it looked to be a clear indication of both sides' situation at the start of the new season, after a big turnover of players in the Girona squad and Hansi Flick's arrival at Barca.

In the end it was no contest with Lamine Yamal impressing again with Barca's first two goals, before Dani Olmo and Pedri added to the score in the second half.

The arrival of European football will stretch Barca's squad, but for the moment things are going much better than anyone could have expected.

3. Atletico and Valencia telling different stories

Atletico Madrid moved into the top three with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Valencia on Sunday in a game where big-money signings Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez netted their debut goals for the club, and Marcos Llorente caused Valencia no end of trouble down the right flank.

If the money Atletico have spent this summer is clearly visible on the pitch, Valencia sit bottom of the table with just one point from five games.

Coach Ruben Baraja has done a good job in the last year and a half, saving them from relegation and steering them to a top-half finish last season, but the continued lack of investment is making itself felt, and with Jose Luis Gaya and Hugo Duro currently injured, things look bleak.

4. Marcelino doing it again at Villarreal

Sometimes, when a coach returns for a second spell at a club, things don't work out well, but at the moment, they are going very well for Marcelino Garcia Toral at Villarreal.

Last season, he returned with the side in danger of relegation and saved them from the drop with ease, and this season, they sit fourth after a late Ayoze Perez goal gave them a 2-1 win in Mallorca.

Marcelino likes balance: Raul Albiol provides experience in defense, while Perez, Yeremy Pino and Alex Baena are a pacy trio in attack, even if the squad was weakened by the late sale of Arnaut Danjuma to Girona. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)