Real Madrid starts Barca chase

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho uncharacteristically tore into his players after their 2-1 derby defeat by Getafe last weekend, describing their performance as "unacceptable".

He got the reaction he was looking for in the Super Cup though, with a sparkling first-half display in midweek at the Bernabeu paving the way for a 2-1 victory over 10-man Barca that gave Madrid the trophy on away goals.

It was the only silverware that Mourinho lacked in Spain after winning the King's Cup in his first year and then the league title last season, which ended Barca's hegemony under Pep Guardiola, who had finished first in the previous three campaigns.

"The trophy will give us confidence. We should enjoy the moment but also realise that we must now move forward and know that we cannot afford to make any more mistakes," said Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of Monday's (AEST) game at home to Granada.

"We know we have to improve as a group as well as individually. We started the game against Barca well, scoring two goals, but then relaxed and eased off as we became tired."

The defeat was a blow for new Barca coach Tito Vilanova as he seeks to emulate the successes of his predecessor.

He has so far failed to tighten up the defence, which was the weak point of the team last season, and centre-backs Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano were chasing shadows for much of the first 45 minutes against Madrid.

Still, Vilanova praised the way his side responded after the break.

"I am proud that with 10 men in the second half, we managed to create five scoring chances," he said.

"This isn't a psychological blow. We would have preferred to win, but it isn't make-or-break for the season and we now return to the league."

Barca takes on Valencia looking to maintain its 100 per cent record, which is also shared by Real Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano.

Valladolid are yet to concede a goal in an impressive return to the top flight and it faces an Athletic Bilbao side in disarray after the departure of Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich, and with Fernando Llorente expected to follow him out of the door.

Their policy of only fielding Basques means its ability to hold onto its players is crucial but its fine displays last season have put it in the shop window.

Vallecano now plays Sevilla, which was happy to come away with a point from the Andalusian derby with Granada after playing the whole second half with 10 men since the dismissal of goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Malaga, which learnt on Friday that it will face AC Milan, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Anderlecht in the group stage of its debut UEFA Champions League campaign, takes on Real Zaragoza.

Modest Levante was the major surprise last season, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, but after a stuttering start without a win, it aims to get back on track against Espanyol.