This is how the champions of Europe’s top 5 leagues started the 2024-25 season | Football news

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, the 2023-24 La Liga champions, began their 2024-25 season with a 1-1 draw against Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 13th minute to give Madrid a 1-0 lead in the match. However, Murici equalised in the 53rd minute for Mallorca. Neither team could score after that, and the match ended with both teams tied at one point each. The biggest disappointment for Madrid would be if their star signing Kylian Mbappé failed to score. But the season has only just begun, and with Real Madrid’s history of late comebacks, fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead.

Madrid will face Valladolid next Sunday, August 25.

Manchester City (Premier League)

Four-time defending champions Manchester City have made a blistering start to their fourth consecutive title defence as they currently lead the points table with six points from two games. City began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before dismantling newly-promoted Ipswich Town 4-1 at the Etihad. Star striker Haaland scored on both occasions and with the return of Gündoğan and the injured Rodri, they are once again favourites to win the league.

Manchester City will face West Ham on Saturday 31st August.

Inter Milan (Serie A)

Inter Milan have had an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season. They began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Genoa before beating Lecce 2-0 at San Siro. They currently sit top of the table with four points from two games.

Milan’s next match against Atalanta will be on Saturday 31 August.

Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

One of the biggest surprises of the 2023-24 season was Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side ending Bayern Munich’s dominant run in the Bundesliga and winning their first title without losing throughout the season. The German champions have now got back on track from last season by defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2 in their opening game of the 2024-25 season. While many believe that Leverkusen’s run last season was a fluke, Xabi Alonso and his team will be eager to prove them wrong once again.

Bayer Leverkusen’s next match against VfL Bochum will be on Saturday, August 31.

Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a setback before the season even started when their main striker Kylian Mbappe left them to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. However, the French champions have now bounced back and are on a roll. They started their new season with a huge 4-1 win over Le Havre before annihilating Montpellier 6-0 in their second match. They are currently top of the table with six points from two games.

PSG’s next match against Lille will be on Monday 2nd September.

First published: August 25, 2024 | 15:36 IST