Sports Burst - La Liga's Outcasts
Atletico in action and misery Man United
Atletico handed massive match-up in Mestalla
Atletico Madrid fans are already a bit suspicious that the Powers-that-Be in La Liga favor the big cheeses of Barcelona and Real Madrid and regard the defensive-minded Rojiblancos as irritating upstarts pooping the El Clasico party.
Those suspicions would have grown further with the opening weekend of La Liga. Barcelona was handed a comfy home tie against Alaves - duly navigated with a win.
Real Madrid was handed a comfy home tie against Getafe - duly navigated with a win, all be it with the lowest attendance in La Liga for nine years.
Atletico Madrid? Go play a feisty, strengthened Valencia in Mestalla on Monday for a kick-off and see how you like them footballing apples.
No problem for Diego Simeone who has been off on a familiar theme as the newly-crowned European Super Cup champions face the first match of a league that Atleti has real chances of winning this year - "the group is above the individual."
Valencia against Atletico Madrid is live on beIN SPORTS at 2PM ET / 11AM PT followed by the round's closing clash of the Kepa-less Athletic Bilbao hosting Leganes, a league debut for new coach Eduardo Berizzo in San Mames.
The Locker Room is the place to be at 7:30PM ET / 4:30PM PT for a look back at the opening weekend in La Liga.
Liverpool tackles new Premier League problem
A mighty Monday of football also has the Premier League wrapping up with Liverpool at Crystal Palace looking for a win to keep pace with Manchester City, Chelsea...and...er...Watford and Bournemouth at the top of the table?
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that new goalkeeper Alisson has been pounded with football style tackle pads to prepare him for hostilities in the Thunderdome-style penalty area that is prevalent in the Premier League. "The six-yard area is not a safety box for the goalkeeper," warned Klopp.
Serie A is also in action with a wrap-up clash as Atalanta takes on Frosinone.
The XTRA is your home for the beautiful game and also the best place to catch the day's best action at 7PM ET / 4PM PT.
Moaning Mourinho to blame for Man United misery
The rest of Monday's news from England concerns the city of Manchester - the apparent ease at which City have coped with the loss of Kevin de Bruyne and Paul Pogba calling out his United teammates for a lack of attitude in the loss to Brighton, a result that puts more pressure on happy-go-lucky Jose Mourinho.
It continues a theme that a grumbling, moaning, defeatist Jose Mourinho has left his players without any motivation at all to give it some gumption out on the pitch. And that certainly seemed clear in the lame defeat to Brighton. However, Monday’s edition of the Guardian says that Mourinho still has the backing of the Manchester United board.
Filipe Luis linked with late PSG switch
TRANSFER TRACKER TIME! And the big story of the day features one of the protagonists of Monday's main match with Filipe Luis potentially playing his last game for Atletico Madrid with a move to PSG reportedly on the cards. "Obviously I don't want him to leave," admitted Simeone.
The other big deal involving PSG is Bayern Munich centerback, Jerome Boateng, who is "50-50" to leave the Bundesliga champions, according to club president Uli Hoeness.
A loan deal looks set to be completed by Sevilla on Monday with Roma midfielder, Maxime Gonalons, joining the La Liga side for a year.
WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?
The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.