MADRID, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid suffered its first defeat of the season, Barcelona maintained its perfect start and Athletic Bilbao thrashed Atletico Madrid. Here are four things we learned from the weekend's La Liga action.
1. Barcelona makes another statement
Barcelona brushed aside Valencia 5-0 on Sunday, with temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius and high humidity doing little to slow Hansi Flick's side.
Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal led the way as Barcelona overwhelmed its opponent, despite Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski's efforts to keep the score down.
The defeat also underlined Valencia's problems after another summer in which the club failed to strengthen significantly in the transfer market.
Barcelona, by contrast, has won all four of its league games and scored 17 goals. Its attacking depth and ability to maintain a high tempo make it the early team to beat.
2. Real Madrid's midfield problem remains
Real Madrid suffered its first defeat since Jose Mourinho's return as coach, with Troy Parrott's goal giving Real Betis a 1-0 home win on Friday.
Alvaro Valles' late penalty save from Kylian Mbappe was decisive, but the result also exposed a familiar weakness in Madrid's midfield.
The club failed to sign Rodri, who instead joined Barcelona, leaving Mourinho without the specialist holding midfielder he needed. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga struggled to provide sufficient control against Betis, and Madrid lacked balance as a result.
The defeat was a reminder that individual quality cannot always compensate for a midfield that struggles to dictate the tempo of a game.
3. Terzic gives Athletic tactical flexibility
Athletic Bilbao made it two wins from two games under new coach Edin Terzic with an impressive 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Atletico was arguably the better side in the first half, but Bilbao struck twice in two minutes after the break before defending resolutely to frustrate its opponent.
Bilbao's pace and aggression were important, but so was Terzic's tactical flexibility. The coach switched from a back four to a three-man central defense to protect the lead and limit Atletico's attacking threat.
The result offered an early indication that Bilbao can combine its traditional intensity with a more adaptable approach under its new coach.
4. Aubameyang looks like a summer bargain
Villarreal remains without a win under new coach Inigo Perez after a 3-2 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruna, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again proving decisive for the promoted side.
The 37-year-old striker showed he still has the pace to hold off defenders as he scored Deportivo's winner. He also provided assists for his team's other two goals.
Aubameyang has scored four goals in four games and has been central to Deportivo's impressive return to La Liga.
Signed for just over 1 million euros this summer, the veteran is already looking like one of the bargains of the season. ■
