As things would have it, the first day saw the pairing together of last season's second and third paced teams, Mallorca and Real Madrid. Mallorca's new Son Moix stadium was full to bursting to see new manager Mario Gómez and his recent signings, not to mention Nicolas Anelka et al (incidentally, Gómez may not be allowed to continue as manager of Mallorca after his credentials were questioned by the trainers association. He should have been head trainer of a top club for at least 3 years and some of his qualifying time was apparently spent as assistant coach in Argentina. Watch this space). With Balic injured and McManaman off form, John Toshack opted to play Anelka behind Morientes, with Raúl and Savio wide on the wings, thus answering the 60 million Dollar question of whether Anelka and Morientes could play together. Seedorf was left on the bench, and his chagrin was evident in the post match interview when he declared that he wanted to leave. Last season Mallorca were known as the 1-0 specialists, and sports writers already had their reports written when Mallorca led after 90 minutes through Carlos's 51st minute goal - "change of manager - Gómez for Cúper; change of goalkeeper - Burgos for Roa; change of striker - Carlos for Dani; same old Mallorca etc, etc". However, Madrid had read a different script (probably the one from the European cup final), and with the telephone lines already pinging off the reports, Madrid turned the game around with two injury time goals. First of all Morientes ran on to substitute McManaman's pass to toe-poke the ball past Burgos, and two minutes later Raúl's first time shot after good work by another substitute Guti (who replaced an uninspired Anelka) sailed over the keeper's head to give Madrid a surprise victory. Earlier Burgos, Argentina first choice keeper and part-time rock star, had saved a penalty from Fernando Hierro.

Mallorca could be excused for having their thoughts on next Wednesday's Champions League qualifying match against Molde. Valencia seemed to have similar problems; with their match against Hapoel also due to be played on Wednesday, the super-cup champions were beaten 1-2 by a young Racing de Santander side. Djukic turned the ball past his own goalkeeper Cañizares to give Racing the lead in the 20th minute of a match in which referee Prados García awarded three second half penalties. Mendieta missed the first after Arzeno brought down Juan Sánchez, and Racing rubbed salt into the wound when Salva converted the second after Albelda had fouled Munitis. Mendieta finally pulled one back from the spot after a foul by Salva, but it was too late to save the match. Valencia's Carboni was sent off five minutes from time for a heavy tackle on Mellberg. Valencia had made a great effort during the close season to strengthen the side with signings of Sánchez, Oscar and Kily, and offering improved contracts to stars Piojo López and Mendieta. However, with the oldest defence in the league they may be suspect at the back. Racing have lost Victor to Deportivo, but seem to have an interminable supply of youngsters to replace the stars who leave.