And we're under way! It's Rayo Vallecano against Atletico Madrid, as the Liga champions start their title defence.

Godin goes down after taking a stamp to the ankle from Kakuta. That was a sore one for the defender. I'm not sure it was intentional but a dull one nonetheless for Godin.

Good chance for Rayo! The hosts come surging forward with pace, with the ball falling to Bueno just inside the opposition penalty area, but he scuffs his shot well wide. Oh dear. Decent opportunity.

There have been no changes at the break for either side. Can Atletico Madrid create more in the way of goalscoring opportunities in this second half? They were quiet in the final third before half time.

The second half is under way!

What did you make of the first half? What can Atletico change to free up some space in the final third after the break? Should Garcia be playing for the champions in the second half? Tweet me!

HALF TIME: Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Atletico Madrid. The champions have been the better team so far but Rayo have largely held their own. This is a very competitive game, even if there has been a lack of chances at either end.

Atletico win the ball in the centre of midfield, but Jimenez can't squeeze through the pass to send Koke through on goal. The pass should have come earlier from the Argentine summer signing.

Chance for Griezmann! The Frenchman shoots but puts it wide of the target when he should have done better. He should have switched it on to his other foot. That would have been more natural for the shot.

Jimenez has done well on his first start for Atletico Madrid. He's been busy all over the pitch, linking up midfield and attack, but as has been the case with every player he's had little end product.

Here's a stat for you: Rayo Vallecano have actually had 61% of the ball in this first half, although Atletico have been the more creative and dangerous in the final third, which is where possession matters.

This has been a scrappy game so far. No real quality from either side, but fiercely competitive. It has made for a decent spectacle, but purists of the sport will not be studying this game in years to come.

Jimenez goes to ground inside the penalty area, after stooping to try and make contact with Mandzukic's chipped centre into the six yard box, but the referee is having none it it. No penalty.

Atletico are looking for an opener before the break. Ansaldi has probably been their best player in this first half, which I suppose is ironic given that he wasn't even in the first lineup.

Abdoulaye has played his side into trouble on more than ocassion. I admire the way he's trying to play out from the back, but against a high pressing team like Atleti it might be better to punt it.

Wonder what Simeone makes of this from his position high up in one of the stadium's executive boxes. I reckon he'll be concerned by how few chances his side has created in this first half.

Juanfran plays another cross into the box looking for Mandzukic, but the ball is too long and drifts out for a throw in. Would Atletico have done that with Costa in the team? Have they changed their style now that he's gone?

This has been a very competitive game so far, but the quality from both sides hasn't been especially high. Any time they get into the final third the final product has let Rayo and Atletico down.

YELLOW CARD: Raul Baena (Rayo Vallecano)

Griezmann has done very little in this game so far. He's been a peripheral figure for Simeone's side. He is at his best when running at the opposition defence but has had few chances to do so.

Atletico are in control of the game but in a strange way are having to fight for the ball. They don't look threatened but Rayo are holding on to possession, although at times they are playing their way into trouble.

Rayo are a very streaky team. Sometimes they look full of swagger and confidence, knocking the ball around the edge of the Atletico box, but then at other times they are so slack in possession.