The week that was in football

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14:  Gareth Bale of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Villarreal and Real Madrid at El Madrigal on September 14, 2013 in Villarreal, Spain.  (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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The world's most expensive transfer makes his Primera Liga debut, two German giants seem headed for a collision, a surprise side top of Serie?A and the nouveau riche lead in France. Paul Oberjuerge reviews the highlights.

Gareth Bale scores The Welshman, purchased by Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for €100 million (Dh488m) last month, started in his Spanish Primera Liga debut and scored in the 39th minute of a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Saturday evening. His coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said: "I think he is happy because scoring the first goal for Real Madrid is very good for him."

Neymar 'flawless' The flashy Brazilian assisted Lionel Messi on a goal in Barcelona's controversial 3-2 La Liga victory over Sevilla on Saturday night, and his coach, Gerardo Martino, said: "Neymar played a flawless game from all points of view. We're very happy with what he adds to the team."

Dortmund, Bayern roll Borussia Dortmund thrashed Hamburg 6-2, with two goals each from Robert Lewandowski, above, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Bayern Munich beat Hannover 2-0. It is not too early to look forward to their first German Bundesliga clash, November 23.

Derby d'Italy draw Reigning Italian Serie?A champions Juventus got a goal from Arturo Vidal to salvage a point, away to Inter Milan, and the Juve coach Antonio Conte said: "We showed Juventus are a tough team that don't die and are hard to beat. We can achieve something historic this season."

Monaco, Ligue leaders The Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev spent €130m on three players this summer and one of them, the Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, scored a first-half penalty as the promoted side beat Lorient 1-0 and moved to the top of the French Ligue?1 table.

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