Spanish La Liga as it happened

1. Sociedad turn around early 2-0 deficit
2. Ramos and Bale give Madrid lead
3. Madrid's Ronaldo misses game through injury
4. Barca net late win through teenage sub Sandro
5. Ibrahimovic net hat-trick on return for PSG

That's right Gary, 24 hours until the transfer window slams (or more likely gently closes) shut across Europe. It is time for us to sign off and get a good night's sleep ahead of what we all hope is a busy day of transfer activity. So I suggest you lot do the same.

Join us again from 08:00 BST tomorrow for all the deals as they happen across the continent. Adios!

Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Real Madrid have been bashed by Real Sociedad. 24 hours to buy a couple of forwards, that should sort it.

FULL-TIME

It has finished at the Parc des Prince. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the PSG hero with a hat-trick as the home side hammer St Etienne. Edinson Cavani also scored with the other goal coming courtesy of an own goal from away keeper Stephane Ruffier.

Italian Serie A

AFP

The night has not ended well for former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, who has been sent off for dissent right at the end of Inter Milan's match with Torino. The game ended 0-0.

Elsewhere, Napoli beat Genoa 2-1, thanks to goals from ex-Real Madrid man Jose Callejon and Jonathan de Guzman, Sampdoria drew 1-1 with Palermo and an Antonio Di Natale brace gave Udinese a 2-0 win over Empoli.

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That means it is one win and one defeat for Madrid from their opening two La Liga games. And Monday's 2-0 home win against newly-promoted Cordoba was less than convincing. Plenty for Ancelotti to chew the fat over.

Meanwhile, Sociedad have exactly the same points tally. They have bounced back - spectacularly - from the embarrassment of losing to tiny Basque neighbours Eibar last weekend.

Both are three points behind early leaders Barcelona.

FULL-TIME

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Pandemonium around the Aneota Stadium as the full-time whistle goes. Except that is for those with a Madrid affinity. Carlo Ancelotti looks like a broken man after seeing his side's 2-0 lead wiped out by the Basque side.

Sociedad fans cheering every pass from their heroes. They're almost there....

Three minutes of stoppage time for Madrid to find a leveller. First they need to score one goal before thinking about an equaliser. Karim Benzema swivels on a stray ball inside the six-yard box, but clips the outside of the Sociedad upright.

James Rodriguez lines up another set-piece, this time a free-kick, and swings the ball towards the far post. Sociedad deal with it.

Then, the Colombian drives forward, takes on a few blue and white shirts, and pings a low effort towards goal. But keeper Enaut Zubikarai is behind it and gratefully clutches the ball to his chest.

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

Robbie Cunningham: Madrid's goal scoring ability did not condemn them to 3rd last season, they should have strengthened their defence!!

Chance, big chance. Sami Khedira climbs above the Sociedad defence to meet a sweet delivery from the left foot of James Rodriguez. But he cannot hit the target and the home side survive.

The pink, sorry, fuchsia shirts of Madrid pile forward as they search for a way back into this match. Substitute Alvaro Arbeloa storms forward down the right flank and puts in a decent cross that Sociedad clear out for a corner.

Substitution

A huge roar greets the departure of Sociedad captain Xabi Prieto, who receives the acclaim of the Anoeta as he is given a well-earned breather. Time for the hosts to shut up shop.

Ten to go

Ten minutes for Madrid to salvage something from this game. That looks about as likely as it did that Sociedad would fight back from that early 2-0 deficit...

Join the debate at #bbceurofooty

Shohidur Rahman: Real tried to fix something that wasn't broken and have completely ruined the balance of the team

And there is Ibrahimovic's hat-trick. Not bad for your first game back. It is PSG 5-0 St Etienne. The game was over at 3-0 and this is just rubbing salt in the wound now.

Someone pass the earplugs - the noise inside the Anoeta Stadium is deafening.

GOAL

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Now Khedira needs to help find two goals for Madrid. Sociedad substitute Carlos Vela swivels on a loose ball in the box - after more suspect away defending - to rifle in a fourth. The colour seems to have drained from James Rodriguez's face as he looks up to the heavens.

SUBSTITUTION

Here is that change we spoke about. Sami Khedira replaces Luka Modric - can that help force an equaliser?

Gareth Bale stands over a free-kick on the edge of the Sociedad box. The Welshman goes for a blast, but sees his fierce effort cannon off Markel Bergara who breaks early - or illegally I'd say - from the home wall.

Germany's World Cup-winning midfielder Sami Khedira is tying up his bootlaces as he prepares to enter the action. There's not many attacking options for Carlo Ancelotti though - that's why he is sniffing around Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

GOAL

That is definitely the points in the bag for PSG, who now lead 4-0 against St Etienne with Edinson Cavani getting in on the goal-scoring action.

GOAL

What a return to the side for Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker makes it 3-0 to PSG at the Parc des Prince and surely seals the points for the home side.

What have Madrid got in their locker then? We're about to find out if they have the guts as well as the talent. Isco looks to counter twice in the space of a few seconds, both times Sociedad's well-drilled defence snuff out the danger.

GOAL

EPA

Unbelievable! Somehow Sociedad have taken the lead. David Zurutuza shows sheer determination to beat Dani Carvajal to a low cross from skipper Xabi Prieto and turn in past Iker Casillas. The Anoeta erupts!

And Carlos Vela's first input is to shamelessly dive under the slightest touch from Dani Carvajal. The Madrid right-back is already on a yellow card and the home players surround the referee in a bid to get him sent off. That's terrible to see. Thankfully the referee is not swayed.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Rian Hoskins: The problem Ancelotti has this season is getting the right balance. He had it last season but now has to fit in Rodriguez.

SUBSTITUTION

Double switch for Real Sociedad as they look to nick that vital fifth goal of the evening. Mexican striker Carlos Vela (remember him Arsenal fans?) comes on. Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate will be hoping Vela's pace can stretch the away defence.

Whistles from the home crowd as Madrid raid down the left. Marcelo clips in a delicious ball but it needed to be a touch deeper to find the head of Karim Benzema.

Madrid do not look comfortable when they are asked to defend crosses. This time, Sociedad left-back Alberto de la Bella - who created the equaliser remember - picks out striker Imanol Agirretxe and his effort is blocked by Sergio Ramos. He has been everywhere this evening.

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All gone a bit quiet after a hectic start to the second half. Toni Kroos recovers from that rare blip, neatly keeping possession as Madrid look to build another wave of attacks.

Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Breaking news!! Toni Kroos just gave the ball away with an inaccurate pass.

And just as I say that - Madrid almost go behind. Xabi Prieto swings in a cross from the Sociedad right, Pepe dillies, Casillas dallies, and home striker Imanol Agirretxe pounces. Casillas springs into action to claw out his goal-bound header.

Real Madrid start the second half like they did from the first whistle - very brightly. And that's nothing to do with their fuchsia kit.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Paul Gibbons: Maybe Real should have invested some of that ludicrous money they spent on Rodriguez on a decent defender or two

John McEnerney: Madrid can handle being "CR7less" but it looks like being "Alonsoless" that will have more of an impact on their season!

KICK-OFF

Back under way at the Aneota Stadium. We've already had four goals - how many more are we going to see? At least two I reckon.

Transfer talk

Some transfer news for you. Spanish champions Atletico Madrid agree a deal to sign Italy forward Alessio Cerci from Torino.

The 27-year-old , who had been linked with a move to Arsenal, will sign a three-year contract with Atletico, once he completes a medical.

Get involved

Suresh: Real Sociedad and Real Madrid both wish they had Bould and Adams! Where's the defence?

HALF-TIME

It is half-time at the Parc des Prince and all plain sailing for PSG, who lead 2-0 and look on course for victory.

HALF-TIME

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Wow. You wanted entertainment, you got entertainment. A great first half at the Anoeta Stadium as Madrid go down the tunnel wondering how they aren't ahead. Sociedad will be wondering how Madrid aren't ahead too...

CLOSE!

But it is almost Madrid who snatch a third with almost the final touch of the first half. Home keeper Enaut Zubikarai goes walkabout as Toni Kroos slings a free-kick into the penalty area, but is lucky to see Sergio Ramos's header drift past the post.

GOAL

PSG extend their lead over St Etienne at the Parc des Prince and it is the returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the goal.

INJURY TIME

You wouldn't think Sociedad have just levelled by looking at home boss Jagoba Arrasate. He looks a picture of misery on the touchline. Cheer up. A third home goal in two minutes of stoppage time will bring out a smile.

Madrid's players look gobsmacked as the reality dawns that have thrown away a 2-0 lead. And frankly I'm stunned too. But they have paid the price for switching off at the back.

GOAL

Oh yes they can! Unbelievable scenes. Home midfielder David Zurutuza arrives in the Madrid box like an Intercity 125 train, powering in a bullet of a header from Alberto De la Bella's cross.

That goal has given a bit - and only a bit - of hope to the home fans. The noise levels go up a notch as Sociedad look for an unlikely equaliser. They can't - can they?

GOAL

Reuters

Well, well, well. Nobody saw this coming. The Basque side regain a foothold in a game where it looked they would be blown out of the water by Madrid. They still might mind.

Anyway, they halve the deficit from a well-worked corner. An inswinging corner from the right is flicked on by Xabi Prieto at the near post as team-mate Inigo Martinez ghost in at the back stick to bundle in. Shades of Steve Bould and Tony Adams there...

CLOSE!

Somebody call the police - Real Sociedad are getting beat up badly. Madrid are looking like they will score whenever they want. They almost make it three, only Sociedad keeper Enaut Zubikarai's outstretched foot stops Toni Kroos bagging his first goal for Los Blancos.

GOAL

Paris St Germain have taken the lead against St Etienne at the Parc des Prince. PSG have a forward line of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura. Pretty tasty, but the goal has come from none of them. Instead it is an own goal from away keeper Stephane Ruffier.

AFP/GETTY

Play quickly switches back to the other end - and that man Sergio Ramos is again in the thick of the action. Sociedad midfielder Esteban Granero - once of Madrid and QPR fame - sees glory as a loose ball pop up invitingly about 15 yards out. But what he doesn't bank on is Ramos flinging himself into the path of his half-volley.

That wins a corner for Madrid and guess who sticks his forehead on the end of the set-piece? Yes, you're right. Sergio Ramos is there, but sees his firm header on to the roof of the Sociedad net.

Madrid left-back Marcelo is desperate for a thick slice of this goalscoring pie. The Brazilian finds more space in the home box and forces Enaut Zubikarai into a smart stop at his near post.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Stuart Mitchell: How anyone would buy this kit over the Madrid home kit I will never know, It's absolutely horrible.

Wale Ibrahim: Oh Gareth! You little genius! What a turn, what a goal.

And then James Rodriguez recycles the ball for Madrid as Marcelo steams forward to fire inches wide. The away side could have scored four or five already...

Normal service is resumed. Sociedad keeper Enaut Zubikarai has - what is known in the footballing trade - a 'mare as he jumps for a high ball with Karim Benzema. For some reason unknown to anyone but himself, Zubikarai decides to turn his back on the Madrid as he jumps and his defence come to the rescue to hack clear the loose ball.

In fact, it is all Sociedad at the moment. Iker Casillas, first choice again after being binned in favour of Diego Lopez last season, tips away a dipping cross from Sociedad's left wing. Not sure there was any danger there. But after being out of favour for so long is probably just as keen as mustard to be involved.

Sociedad are having a go though as left-back Alberto de la Bella finds himself lining up a shot on the edge of the Madrid box. Predictably he loses composure and skews his effort into the legs of Marcelo. Better though from the hosts.

How on Earth can Sociedad recover from this one? With great difficult I'd imagine. They ping a cross from the left into the Madrid box, where Sergio Ramos is back doing his day job, clearing away from home midfielder Inigo Martinez.

GOAL

Now it is! Simply stunning from Gareth Bale. I'm almost drooling over my keyboard. The Welshman kippers the Sociedad defence, dragging the ball back through a defender's legs before drilling into the bottom corner.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Ooof! Sergio Ramos thumps the free-kick against the crossbar. Almost 2-0!

Madrid are flying after that early opener. Marcelo jinks towards the Sociedad box after cutting in from the left before being unceremoniously dumped to the turf. Free-kick in a promising position...

GOAL

Getty Images

Sergio Ramos has scored more goals than Fernando Torres in the past six months - and here's another one to add to the defender's impressive collection. The Madrid centre-back climbs highest to meet Toni Kroos's delicious inswinging corner with a thumping header.

Gareth Bale looks as though he has started on the left for Madrid in the absence of Ronaldo, although it is likely to a fluid attacking formation. The Welshman tries to latch on to a lofted ball into the home danger zone, only to see the ball cleared.

KICK-OFF

It's showtime! Real Madrid kick off their second game of the fledgling Spanish season, wearing an eye-watering fuchsia* kit.

* Pink to me and you. Fuchsia to the marketing men.

Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo is missing as Madrid allow him time to fully recover from injury.

He is also out of Portugal's Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania, giving him two weeks off before Real's next game against champions Atletico Madrid.

The 29-year-old forward has struggled with a succession of injury problems since the end of last season.

"He is OK but we have preferred to use this week for him to get in top condition," says boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Over to you Real Madrid. After seeing Barca snatch a late win, can the European champions continue their 100% start to La Liga? We're about to find out. The teams, with Madrid's players wearing some natty pink tracksuit tops, stroll out of the tunnel in San Sebastian.

Italian Serie A

Getty Images

Fittingly for the man who has scored more Serie A hat-tricks than anyone else, AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi watches his side score a treble to give him a winning start as Rossoneri boss.

Goals from Keisuke Honda, Sulley Muntari and Jeremy Menez help the 18-time Italian champions, who finished a miserable eighth last season, to a 3-1 win against Lazio at the San Siro.

FULL-TIME

It looked like Barcelona were going to be foiled by a superb rearguard action from Villarreal, but substitute Sandro Ramirez came to the rescue of the Catalan side with his late goal. The win is a testimony to the patience and determination of the away side but the home side can be very proud of the effort they put in, which came so close to earning them a point. As 1-0 matchess go, that was pretty fine.

We are into three minutes of added time. Barcelona look like they have the win in the bag now.

This is where Barca strangle the life out of the game through possession. They are denying the home side the ball in typically selfish style and protecting their lead. They almost claim a second as Dani Alves' millionth cross from the right finds the head of Neymar in the box but he can only put his effort over the bar.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Once again, the goal-frame takes a hammering as a cross is swung over to the back post for Trigueros to hit a shot on the volley that strikes the post and goes behind. Soon after, Luciano Vietto has a chance to bring the home side level but slices his shot from inside the box wide. You can't take your eyes off this for a second!

GOAL

Finally the Villarreal wall is breached! Some superb movement from Lionel Messi earns him space behind the Villarreal defence. With Victor Ruiz having just played him onside, the Argentine is able to compose himself and cross the ball low through the keeper's legs and right in front of goal for substitute Sandro to hammer the ball in for his first Barca goal. Relief all round for the Catalan side. They have huffed and puffed and have finally blown the Villarreal house down.

Lionel Messi is still trying to weave some magic but he is again foiled by the home defence, who close him down on the edge of the box and prevent him finding Neymar in space. They even win a goal-kick as the attempted pass ricochets back off the Argentine, much to his frustration.

HITS THE WOODWORK

The woodwork is hit yet again! Lionel Messi has a yard of space in the box when the ball is fed to him from out wide by Dani Alves and it is all he needs to pull the trigger. Unfortunately for the visitors, his low shot hits the outside of the post and goes wide. This game deserves a goal.

Get involved

Paul Thompson: This is a fantastic game. As entertaining a 0-0 as you can get! Either side could win it but you'd have to favour Barca...

SUBSTITUTION

And a third and final Barca change sees the introduction of Xavi for Rafinha.

SUBSTITUTION

And just before that Barca made a substitution of their own with Ramirez on for the ineffectual Pedro.

HITS THE WOODWORK

This game should really have had a goal by now. Firstly, Neymar fires a shot over the bar from Barcelona inside the box and then, down the other end, Pina's shot from the edge of the box hits the inside of the post and ribbles out before being flashed back across goal and wide by Trigueros. It's all going on.

SUBSTITUTION

Amidst all the goalmouth action, I've neglected to inform you of a couple of Villarreal subs. So there they are above.

How has that not resulted in a goal?! Lionel Messi is released down the right with a floated ball over the top and his cross looks perfect for Neymar to slot in before Victor Ruiz gets a slight touch. The Brazilian has a second sniff but is unable to poke the ball past the floored Ruiz on the line. Somehow, the home side smuggle the ball away. It doesn't matter how you stop em...

Lionel Messi has a chance to break the deadlock with a free-kick from 25 yards. He strikes it well but is denied by Sergio Asenjo, who dives to his left and palms the ball away. One for the cameras that save.

Barca are handed a free-kick 30 yards from goal fro a foul on Rafinha. The set-piece is floated to the back post for Gerard Pique, but he is unable to wrap his foot around the ball and his attempted cross into the six-yard box drifts out of play.

Two chances in a minute almost bring the opening goal for Barcelona. Ivan Rakitic's driven ball across goal is cut out and out behind by Victor Ruiz, who is then on hand to put enough pressure on Jeremy Mathieu so that he puts a close-range shot from the resulting corner wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION

An injury to Costa forces Villarreal into a change of their own.

Get involved

Toniwater: Xavi made a mistake signing for another year, Luis Enrique will use him when needed which won't be often enough for Xavi's liking!

SUBSTITUTION

The Barca youngster departs having contributed little and on comes Neymar, who scored twice when these two met last December in a 2-1 Barca win.

AP

Barca are lacking a cutting edge in the final third. They are not moving the ball quickly or incisively enough and it is making it easy for the home defence. Neymar is possibly just the man they need to add some spark. And right on cue, here comes the Brazilian...

Neymar is warming up. It is not a surprise. Munir may have made a big splash last weekend but he has been very quiet here.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Ohhh, so unlucky for Villarreal. The home side break down the left and the ball is swung in to the Barca box into the channel behind the defence and in front of the keeper, forcing Jeremy Mathieu to dive in and poke a foot out which re-directs the ball onto the post. Fortunately for the away side, no Villarreal player is close enough to react and Claudio Bravo can gather the loose ball.

Villarreal's defence is a stubborn beast. Lionel Messi tries to find a way through with a little one-two on the edge of the box but he is crowded out by a host of yellow-clad units.

Team news

No Cristiano Ronaldo remember for Real Madrid tonight, which means Spain midfielder Isco is given the nod. He cost just the £23m last summer - loose change compared to what Real have splashed this transfer window. Iker Casillas continues in goal with new signing Keylor Navas again having to settle for a place on the bench.

Real Madrid starting XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Rodriguez, Bale, Benzema,

The second half starts in a familiar fashion as Dani Alves swings over a cross that lacks quality and allows Sergio Asenjo to pluck the ball out of the air.

KICK-OFF

AP

The second half is under way. Can Barca find a way through the Villarreal wall? Can the home side nick something against all odds? The next 45 minutes will reveal all.

Dutch Eredivisie

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Second-half goals from Luuk de Jong and Adam Maher maintained PSV Eindhoven's winning start to the Eredivisie season as champions Ajax lost for a second successive week.

PSV beat Vitesse Arnhem 2-0 at home for a fourth successive win and a three-point lead over Zwolle, whose 100% record ended at NAC Breda, and Ajax's conquerors Groningen.

Ajax, seeking an unprecedented fifth successive title, were beaten 2-0 at Groningen a week after they had lost 3-1 at home to PSV.

Lies, damned lies and statistics

BBC

Need I say more?

Real deal for Chicharito?

Speaking of Real Madrid... with deadline day looming large, here's a tit-bit of transfer gossip for you.

European champions Real Madrid have discussed a potential loan deal for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. It is far from a done deal but one to keep a beady eye on.

La Liga rivals Valencia, along with Italian champions Juventus, have previously lodged bids for the Mexico international.

Don't forget, after this game has finished we will bring you the other half of the El Clasico pair, Real Madrid, as they travel to Real Sociedad. Carlo Ancelotti will be without newly-crowned best player in Europe Cristiano Ronaldo. Don't feel too sorry for him, though, he still has Bale, Rodriguez, Benzema, et al to choose from.

Get involved

Rian Hoskins: Clearly Xavi and Luis Enrique are not on the best terms. Shows Enrique is managing his own way by using Rafinha ahead of Xavi.

HALF-TIME

And that is the break. It has been one-way traffic in the direction of the Villarreal goal but it remains goalless. Lionel Messi has seen a free-kick pushed onto the post Sergio Asenjo but the visitors have created little else to really test the home keeper. A pretty rubbish cut-up pitch maybe hasn't helped Barca's efforts but they have also lacked the quality when it matters.

We are closing in on half time and Villarreal will be pretty pleased with this, certainly more so than Barca. The away side have had pretty much all the ball but have not managed to break down the home defence.

EPA

This could get tasty. There are a few, shall we say, loose tackles flying in, the latest being one by Villarreal's Jaume Costa that leaves Dani Alves writhing around on the floor. The boot was high and Alves was clipped. The Barca defender bares his marked upper thigh as exhibit A to the ref but gets booked for the manner of his protests. Needless to say, Alves is not happy with that outcome.

The home side get a rare sight of the Barca goal but Denis Cheryshev is unable to make the most of a difficult chance and slices his shot wide of goal from a tight angle on the left.

Another Dani Alves cross - low to the near post - is cut out by Victor Ruiz for a corner. Ivan Rakitic delivers but the home side do another fine job of clearing what is, in truth, a pretty poor effort. The away side are starting to get a bit frustrated, not least of all with the referee, who has given Villarreal a couple of generous free-kicks in the last couple of minutes.

Barcelona continue to probe away near the edge of the Villarreal box. Dani Alves remains their main source of deliveries into the box but he has yet to hit a truly quality cross. Jeremy Mathieu hammers a shot from way out but it flashes wide of goal.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Barca go within a lick of paint of taking the lead. Lionel Messi drives a low free-kick on the right-hand corner of the box towards the near post and it takes a deflection off Trigueros before Sergio Asenjo tips the ball on to the base of the post. Messi so, so close to claiming his 246th La Liga goal. Take a bow, Asenjo.

Get involved

Wale ibraheem: It seems La Masia don't really bother to produce quality defenders, Barca don't defend anyway.

Barca's players are screaming for a penalty as Pedro attempts to cut inside his marker inside the box and tumbles under an, admittedly, clumsy challenge. However, the referee sees nothing wrong and play continues. I think the official got that right. Pedro was looking for that and fell way too easily.

Getty Images

Villarreal have barely been in the Barca half but they should probably be ahead from essentially their first attack. Giovani dos Santos swings over a cross after his initial corner is blocked and it finds Victor Ruiz at the back post with the goal at his mercy. Somehow, the defender manages to loop the ball onto the roof of the net. His puts his head in his hands and he is right to do so. That was a great chance.

Don't believe me that Barca are pounding Villarreal in terms of possession and efforts at goal? Here's the statistical evidence....

BBC

More possession for Dani Alves and he whips over another cross but it is over-hit and beats everyone to go out for a goal-kick. Barca are getting into good positions but need better quality to make it count. Villarreal haven't really been out of their own half yet, such is the gulf in class. The home side will be pleased with their defensive work, though.

Getty Images

Saying that, Sergio Asenjo has just had to pull out a decent save to deny Pedro by diving to his left to palm away a goal-bound shot from the edge of the box. Good effort, better save.

Dani Alves is seeing a fair bit of the ball, much to the ire of the whistling home supporters, and he fires over another cross that is just taken away from a team-mate in the box by the head of a home defender. Barca are in complete control at the moment, but they've not yet given Sergio Asenjo too many difficult situations to deal with.

Dani Alves is receiving a few boos from the stands, you would assume as a result of the banana incident from last season. It is just a few, but still not pleasant to hear. He plays a part in setting up Ivan Rakitic, who unleashes a shot from range but does not strike it with enough power to trouble Sergio Asenjo.

Stat attack

Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Toral has never beaten Barca as a La Liga manager, drawing two and losing six of his eight attempts.

Villarreal have a chance to finally get in the Barcelona half but the attack is snuffed it out before it has even begun by the visitors, who set off on another attack of their own. Dani Alves - who you may remember ate a banana that was thrown onto the pitch at this ground last season - crosses low for Messi but a home defender slides in to deny the Argentine forward and clear.

Get involved

John McEnerney: Stern test for Barca, strong line-up missing Iniesta which may be crucial, Xavi off the bench late on either to close out the game or win it.

Getty Images

Lionel Messi's first real input into the game is to collect possession from Pedro on the edge of the box and fire a low snap-shot straight into the hands of home keeper Sergio Asenjo. Villarreal have not had a kick yet.

Barca get the game under way and proceed to keep the ball for the first minute before forcing an early corner. Ivan Rakitic swings the corner over to the edge of the box for Munir to strike but he doesn't quite catch it cleanly and the ball goes wide of goal.

KICK-OFF

The teams are on their way out at El Madrigal, which is one of those classic Spanish grounds that don't really see the need for proper roofs on their stands. That's what regular sunshine will do. I once spent a Tuesday night in the away end at Barnsley before it got a roof. Very different experience I imagine.

Messi milestone

Reuters

To keep you up to date with the seemingly endless parade of records either having being broken or about to be broken by Lionel Messi, the Barcelona forward is just six goals short of becoming La Liga's all-time top goalscorer. The Argentine has 245 goals to his name, with Telmo Zarra's tally of 251 in his sights. He probably won't do it today. I say probably, he has got it in his locker the little genius.

Stat attack

Luis Enrique's Barcelona had a league-high 71.6% of possession on the opening weekend of La Liga.

Team news

EPA

Neymar returns to the Barcelona squad after injury - but he doesn't return to Luis Enrique's starting XI. Teenage forward Munir, the latest boy wonder of Barca's boy wonder producing La Masia academy, keeps his spot after scoring on his debut last weekend.

LINE-UPS

Villarreal: Asenjo, Mario, Musacchio, V Ruiz, J Costa, Pina, Bruno, Trigueros, Cani, Cheryshev, Dos Santos. Subs: Vietto, Gomez, De Abreu, Rukavina, Moreno, Espinosa, Sanchez.

Barcelona: Bravo, Dani Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha, Pedro, Munir, Messi. Subs: Masip, Montoya, Xavi, Neymar, Bartra, Sergi Roberto, Sandro.

Villarreal no pushovers

Getty Images

With all due respect to Elche, Villarreal are a sterner opponent for Barca to have to deal with tonight. They finished sixth in La Liga last season, thus qualifying for the Europa League, and gave Barca a couple of decent games - going down 2-1 at the Nou Camp and narrowly losing the game at El Madrigal 3-2. They started this season with a 2-0 win at Levante.

Barca face El Madrigal test

Last weekend, the Luis Enrique Barcelona reign got off to a decent start as his side brushed aside the inconvenience of being reduced to 10 men and notched up an opening 3-0 win over Elche.

AP

Lionel Messi scored. Twice. Because that's what he does. And Barca B graduate Munir added an encouraging insight into the future with a goal. Plus, for added fun, there was a cat on the pitch.

AP

However, this week might be slightly trickier for Enrique's boys...