Real Madrid opened their Spanish La Liga title defence on Saturday by coming from a goal down to edge city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

Under new German coach Bernd Schuster, who has splashed out 120 million euros on new talent since replacing Fabio Capello, Real made a nightmare start as they fell behind to a goal from Argentine prodigy Sergio 'Kun' Aguero inside a minute. But the evergreen Raul headed them level and recent big-money recruit Wesley Sneijder notched the winner ten minutes from time.

Atletico arrived not having won at the Bernabeu for eight seasons. But they too have substantially added to their squad, not least by signing Jose Antonio Reyes, who spent last season on loan from Arsenal with Real and scored the last-day goals which won the title. The Spanish international, however, had to make do with a place on the bench before coming on to a mixed reception midway through the second half.

Spain's Tour de France cycling champion Alberto Contador handed the championship trophy to Real skipper Raul before kick-off and the former then formally kicked off the campaign before a sellout 80,000 crowd. Real kept some of their eight new players in reserve, including Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze and Dutch winger Arjen Robben, signed just two days before the match from Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.

The hosts also left German international defender Christoph Metzelder on the bench to begin with, before he replaced Italian world champion Fabio Cannavaro, suffering from an ankle knock sustained in training. Javier Aguirre's Atletico, inspired by their own expensive new recruits including Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan and Portuguese forward Simao, stunned Real by taking the lead after 56 seconds.

Mario Andres Pernia set over a corner from the right and compatriot Aguero nodded in from point blank range. Raul then leapt high to power in a header from a tantalising Sergio Ramos cross on the flank where David Beckham was providing much of the ammunition during the title run-in.

It was Guti, as so often in the past, who unlocked the door to victory, his slide rule freekick pounced on by Sneijder, who stroked home a low shot.

The visitors almost snatched a point on 81 minutes when Greek defender Giorgios Seitaridis crossed from the right and Forlan slid home only to be given offside as the red-and-white side of the capital failed to repeat last season's stalemate which ended 1-1.

Challenge
Barcelona will look to make it three titles in four seasons this time round and coach Frank Rijkaard, after shelling out 70 million euros on the likes of French striker Thierry Henry and defensive stars Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito, will send his men out at Santander on Sunday.

UEFA Cup winners Sevilla open their campaign later Saturday against Schuster's former side Getafe, now coached by Dane Michael Laudrup and the side they beat in the Spanish Cup final. Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is still on board despite reports of an approach from English Premiership early strugglers Tottenham.

Also Saturday, Murcia were meeting Real Zaragoza, aspirants for a top five finish. Valencia open their season Sunday at home to neighbours Villarreal, who ended last season strongly in one of the weekend's top encounters on paper.