Real stuck in blocks but Barca off to flyer

Real Madrid made a stuttering start to their title defence as they were held 1-1 by Valencia at the Bernabeu last night.

The champions looked bright early on and after both Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria came close, Gonzalo Higuain gave the home side the lead with just 10 minutes on the clock.

Against the run of play Valencia levelled four minutes before the break when Tino Costa’s wonderfully whipped free-kick from the right was met by Jonas, who headed home.