Barcelona, Spain (My Sportsbook) - Real Madrid's season opener wasn't nearly as impressive as the almost $400 million the team spent this offseason but new boss Manuel Pellegrini is glad to have a victory under his belt and is focused on Saturday's trip to Espanyol.

Real got a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in its opener but narrowly posted a 3-2 win over Deportivo at the Bernabeu. With Ronaldo and Kaka - the last two FIFA Players of the Year - highlighting a new-look Madrid side, the performance was not what many expected, but the result was.

Madrid heads to Barcelona to play the town's lesser-known side, Espanyol, and Pellegrini was cautious, admitting a match at Cornella-El Prat stadium "won't be easy."

Pellegrini, like every boss at one of Europe's top teams, faces concerns after midweek World Cup qualifiers, but said, "I could easily come up with a great starting lineup, worthy of the level demanded at Real Madrid, with any of the players on the squad."

In addition to the concerns with fatigue, Real Madrid begins Champions League group play Tuesday at FC Zurich with its eyes on the final - which will be in Madrid in May.

"That's the title I personally prefer to win," Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder told La Sexta.

Pellegrini has two more options with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mahamadou Diarra back from injuries but Fernando Gago and Sergio Ramos are both out. Pellegrini thinks Ramos is close to returning, but didn't want to rush him back.

"Sergio Ramos is still doing preseason work," Pellegrini said. "I hope he is ready to perform well next week.

"We aren't going to hasten his recovery because we don't want him to get injured again."

Barcelona visits Getafe on Saturday, hoping to follow up its 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon. Barca opens defense of its Champions League title Wednesday at Italian champion Inter Milan.

Barca got some good news this week with Rafa Marquez given the green light to return to action. Marquez, a defender, had been out with a calf injury.

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla - which also open Champions League plays this week - host Racing and Real Zaragoza, respectively. Atletico Madrid hosts APOEL and Sevilla hosts Unirea during the week to open the group stage.

On Sunday, Villarreal hosts Mallorca, Sporting Gijon hosts Almeria, Deportivo hosts Malaga, Tenerife hosts Osasuna, Valladolid hosts Valencia, and Xerez hosts Athletic Bilbao to wrap up the weekend's La Liga action.