The 2013-14 La Liga season kicked off on Saturday with three games that gave us a look at a couple European spot contenders and some potential relegation battlers.
La Liga Saturday: Positives starts for Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia
La Real, Atheltic and Lose Che all have some work to do but after the first day of the season, they all have three points. Which is what really matters.
Here’s a recap of all the action.
Real Sociedad 2-0 Getafe
La Real started a little slow and looked the lesser side for much of the first half, but as usually happens talent wins out. A goal from Carlos Vela just before halftime put La Real ahead and Haris Seferovic put the match away midway through the second half. Both goals were the result of some excellent build-up play and featured calm and clever finishes.
Sociedad’s first goal came minutes before the break when Gonzalo Castro sent a pinpoint ball through traffic to Vela who waited for Miguel Moya to come off his line before chipping the ball over the keeper. Vela was on the other end of the second goal, finding Seferovic on the left side who meat Moya with a clever chip of his own to secure the three points for La Real.
With a Champions League playoff round match against Lyon looming for Sociedad, it’s a solid start to the season and a confidence builder.
Real Valladolid 1-2 Atheltic Bilbao
The Ernesto Valverde era at Athletic got off to a positive start as his side defeated Valladolid 2-1 thanks to goals from Markel Susaeta and Iker Muniaín.
Susaeta put the visitors in front in the 28th minute after Andoni Iraola played the ball into the Valladolid area where it was superbly back-heeled by Ander Herrera over to Benat who found Susaeta at close range for a hard shot into the bottom corner.
Valladolid equalized immediately after Oscar Ramos got past his defender on the right side and fired a cross in to Patrick Ebert who easily beat Gorka Iraizoz.
Atheltic found the winner five minutes into the second half when Valladolid defender Marc Valiente accidentally diverted the ball off the post and the rebound went right to the feet of Muniain who put it in the back of the net.
Valencia 1-0 Malaga
Valencia were less than impressive against Malaga but a 64th minute goal from Ricardo Costa was enough to get them the full three points on the day.
The goal wasn’t the result of anything special created by Valencia, instead they took advantage of a rather bad mistake by Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero. After coming out to deal with a high ball on a free kick, Caballero fumbled the ball as he was pressured and it ended up right in front of Costa who put it into the empty net.
Malaga did not look good and as expected, will likely be facing a long tough season.
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