Valverde proves the difference
REAL MADRID maintained their perfect La Liga start after seeing off bitter city rivals Atletico.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain without injured talisman Karim Benzema, but continued their outstanding form, which has seen them win all nine of their matches across all competitions.
Rodrygo and Federico Valverde scored in the first half as Real dealt brilliantly with the hostile atmosphere of Atleti’s stadium.
Rodrygo half-volleyed in from Aurelien Tchouameni’s chip over the top of the Atletico’s defence to open the scoring.
Valverde then tucked home the rebound after Vinicius Junior charged onto a Luka Modric through-ball and struck the post with a toe-poke.
Diego Simeone started Antoine Griezmann for the first time this season, but it took a mistake from Thibaut Courtois to gift them a way back into the match, as Mario Hermoso pounced.
Equaliser
But they couldn’t find an equaliser and Hermoso got his marching orders after a second yellow in injury time.
Napoli are top of Serie A following last night’s victory over AC Milan at the San Siro.
The visitors went ahead thanks to a Matteo Politano penalty in the 55th minute, after Sergino Dest took down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box.
Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud levelled for the Rossoneri 14 minutes later after being set up by defender Theo Hernandez.
But substitute Giovanni Simeone — son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego — settled the game when he headed home Mario Rui’s corner in the 78th minute to put Napoli top of the table on 17 points, level with Atlanta.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho was sent off after storming the pitch in the 1-0 home loss to the joint leaders.
The Portuguese boss had to be held back by staff as he raged at ref Daniele Chiffi for not giving a penalty for a ‘foul’ on Nicolo Zaniolo.
Giorgio Scalvini scored Atalanta’s winner.
Inter Milan were beaten 3-1 at Udinese despite Nicolo Barella putting them ahead.