Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano was delighted to see Cristiano Ronaldo get on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win at Espanyol. Valdano said at the final whistle: "He has scored two goals in two games and is a player who has great presence in attack, especially when the game becomes open. He's a safe bet."

On their title battle with Barcelona, he added: "It is too early to say. This was a match that was very favorable in the second half, but before that it had been very even, we had many problems during the first 20 or 25 minutes.

"It will be a season of very tight matches."