It was out with the old and in with the new but Bayern Munich still started the 55th Bundesliga in familiar fashion on Friday, with a 3-1 home win over Bayer leverkusen.
Bayern was playing its first league game without the retired Philipp lahm and Xabi Alonso, but two new signings - Niklas Suele and Corentin Tolisso - got the five-time champions underway.
Then the Bundesliga's first ever use of video assistance saw the awarding to Bayern of a penalty, which Robert lewandowski converted in the second half.
Bayern quickly got into its stride, and Suele, an imposing defender, got the home side off to a flying start when he headed in a free kick from former Hoffenheim colleague Sebastian Rudy. Both joined Bayern in the offseason.
Corentin Tolisso made it 2-0 when Arturo Vidal picked him out at the far post.
Tolisso then hit the post, and the visitors' new coach, Heiko Herrlich, called on his players to keep their heads up as Bayern threatened a rout.
A thunderstorm forced the start of the second half to be delayed by more than 10 minutes. Some fans took their tops off to enjoy the deluge. Others took shelter under rain-ponchos. Most sheltered safely inside the stands.
Herrlich made use of the break for two changes, though the positive impact they made was undone when Charles Aranguiz hauled lewandowski back in the area.
Referee Tobias Stieler allowed play to continue before consulting his video assistant. He then pointed to the spot, booked Aranguiz, and lewandowski did the rest.
Substitute Julian Brandt set up Admir Mehmedi for leverkusen's deserved equalizer.
lIGA BEGINS WITH TRIBUTES TO VICTIMS
lEGANES: leganes defeated Alaves 1-0 to get the Spanish leagueunderway on Friday, after they paid tribute to the victims of the attacks in Barcelona and the seaside resort of Cambrils.
A minute of silence was held before the match, and will also be observed ahead of all league games this weekend.
Valencia defeated 10-man las Palmas in the late match thanks to a first-half goal by striker Simone Zaza.
Defending champion Real Madrid and Barcelona will play on Sunday, but both squads held a minute of silence before their training sessions on Friday.
Barcelona players will wear shirts worded with "Barcelona" instead of their names on the back when they host Real Betis at Camp Nou. The hashtag "TotsSomBarcelona" (We are all Barcelona) will be on the front of the shirts, following the attacks that killed 14 people and injured more than 120 others.
Titleholder Real Madrid will debut at Deportivo la Coruna without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is serving a suspension for shoving a referee in the Spanish Super Cup final which
Madrid won.