MADRID, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona maintained their 100 percent record at the top of La Liga in Spain's fourth round of games this season. However Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid dropped points.
Here are some of the things we learned this weekend in Spain:
1. What's happening with Barcelona's signings?
When Barcelona signed Clement Lenglet, Arthur, Malcom and Arturo Vidal over the summer, the general feeling was that the club had added more depth to a squad which struggled to play two games a week last season. However, after four league games there is still little sign these players are making an impact.
Saturday in San Sebastian saw Arthur and Malcom out of the squad, while Vidal came on as a late defensive change as Barcelona were slightly lucky to win 2-1 against Real Sociedad. Barcelano coach Ernesto Valverde may feel the new arrivals have simply not adapted to the Barcelona style of play, or that they are lacking fitness, but with the Champions League due to kick off this week, surely he must put faith in them soon.
2. Casemiro vital for Real Madrid
The first 45 minutes of Real Madrid's 1-1 away draw to Athletic Club Bilbao saw Madrid struggle to contain an aggressive and vibrant home side, who took the lead through Iker Muniain. Athletic were able to exploit spaces in the Madrid midfield and it was not until Casemiro came on for Dani Ceballos at halftime that Julen Lopetegui's side finally got a grip on the game.
The Brazilian may not be the flashiest of Madrid's players and he certainly crosses the line in terms of some of his challenges but Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Ceballos simply can't emulate Casemiro's defensive performances.
3. Who needs Kepa when you have Unai Simon?
Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon looked set for a season on loan with second division Elche when he was recalled a week before the season kicked off, as Spain international Kepa Arrizabalaga packed his bags to join Chelsea in a world record move for a goalkeeper.
If fans were upset about losing Kepa, Unai's performances in his three games to date show they have no need to worry. The Spain under-21 keeper has been outstanding and against Real Madrid on Saturday, once again showed his maturity with some excellent saves to ensure a well-deserved point. Athletic's task now is to make sure this keeper doesn't leave.
4. Early days but Leganes and Valladolid should start to worry
Although it is still early days in the season, newly promoted Real Valladolid sit second from bottom with just two points so far this season and without a goal after four games. The team with the smallest budget in the league was always going to face an uphill task and their home defeat to Alaves on Sunday highlighted just how difficult it is going to be.
Meanwhile Leganes are rock bottom with just one point after a missed penalty condemned them to a 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal. There has been a huge turnaround of players at the club and for the moment the organization of the last two seasons under Asier Garitano is missing.
