Real Sociedad warmed up for their Champions League qualifier with Lyon on Tuesday in fine fashion as goals from Carlos Vela and Haris Seferovic handed them a 2-0 opening day victory over Getafe.
The Basques put the departures of manager Philippe Montanier and star midfielder Asier Illarramendi to Rennes and Real Madrid respectively behind them with a display full of invention that was too much for a disappointing Getafe side.
Vela opened the scoring three minutes before half-time with a neatly chipped finish from Chori Castro’s pass and the Mexican then turned provider for the second as Seferovic sealed the victory 20 minutes from time.
“This game gives us three points and reaffirms that the team can compete well,” said new boss Jagoba Arrasate, who was also making his debut as a senior coach having only previously coached Sociedad’s youth sides.
“It was important to start well and the overall evaluation of the performance is very positive.”
With an eye on Tuesday’s clash in France, Arrasate had opted to leave the creative talents of Antoine Griezmann and Xavi Prieto on the bench and with last season’s top-scorer Imanol Agirretxe also missing through injury, the hosts took some time to get into their stride.
When they did eventually threaten the Getafe goal though, it was the lively Seferovic who sparked the move as he slid in Castro on the left side of the box and his thunderous effort came back off the underside of the bar.
Valencia, who were edged out of fourth place by Sociedad on the final day of last season, also got off to a winning start against a much-changed Malaga side thanks to Ricardo Costa’s solitary second-half goal.
In a game devoid of clear goalscoring opportunities, it was fitting that the only goal arrived via an error as Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero flapped at a looping ball inside the area and the ball fell perfectly for Costa to fire low into net.
And Sociedad’s Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao were also victorious in their first match under new manager Ernesto Valverde as they beat Valladolid 2-1.
New signing Benat Extebarria had a hand in a wonderful team move that resulted in Markel Susaeta firing home the opener on 28 minutes.
The lead lasted barely three minutes though as Patrick Ebert’s composed finish brought Valladolid level. However, the visitors were to have the last word as Iker Muniain pounced to prod home after Marc Valiente had turned Andoni Iraola’s cross against his own post.’