Granada star and a sunny day for Valencia
The new season is up and running and, despite many of the LaLiga’s big guns not re- entering the party on the first Matchday, there’s already plenty for us to get our teeth into. There was good and bad news for the promoted clubs who played and the club at the top of the table probably had the most traumatic of summers and early transfer windows. So, let’s have a quick gallop through some of the main points from Matchday 1 and then look ahead to what’s up coming.
First tip of the hat of the season should probably go to Granada. After finishing a highly creditable seventh last term, Diego Martínez’s side started the new season in style. Athletic Club had travelled the length of the country to visit the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, and that’s an awful long way to go to suffer a disappointing 2- 0 defeat. A couple of quick goals just after the break from Yangel Herrera and Milla were enough to secure the points and suggest that while the Andalusian club look well set for another impressive season, there’s still plenty of work for Gaizka Garitano to do if Athletic are to at least compete for a European place. The visitors enjoyed almost 60% of the possession and despite having more than twice as many attempts on goal than Granada, the blank scoresheet must be a worry. Even introducing Williams after the second home goal failed to deliver any tangible reward.
On their return to the top tier, Cádiz would have been hoping for a bright start and a game against Osasuna, whilst not an easy task, offered at least a decent chance of getting some points on the board. Sadly, for the home team, the club from Pamplona have established themselves as a more than decent top tier outfit and, even without the luckless Chimy Ávila who suffered another serious knee injury almost immediately after returning from the previous one, always looked the side more likely to score. A neat finish from Adrián on ten minutes put Osasuna ahead and, despite efforts from Pombo to inspire the home team, the inclusion of Negredo did little to threaten the visitors. Bringing the 35- year- old back from the UAE and his spell with Al- Nasr, looked a decent move – he’d scored 25 goals in 36 league games in the UAE – but the difference in standards between there and the Primera División was shown to be substantial. Being big and muscular alone, won’t cut it here and the striker will need to sharpen up as the season progresses. Do so, and there’s still every chance that he can prosper with Cádiz. The Segunda División champions visit Huesca, one of the other promoted clubs in the next Matchday. At least a point
should be gained there to open their account.
Talking of Huesca, going to Villareal and returning with a draw was a great start to their programme. Despite having to survive on a paltry amount of possession during the game, Huesca even had the temerity to go ahead at the Estadio de la Cerámica, with defender Maffeo scoring ahead of the break, before a penalty from Gerard levelled things up.
In other games, La Real secured a 1- 1 draw at Valladolid thanks to a blunder by the home goalkeeper. A tame freekick by Roberto Lopez should have been comfortable for Matip, but it slipped through his hands and over the line on the hour mark, after Michel had put the home team ahead in the first period. Another team tipped to struggle after a bout of managerial merry- goround last season also got a welcome win at Alavés when a late strike by Tello gave Manuel Pellegrini’s reign with Real Betis the ideal start.
Despite the truncated fixture list, being top of the table at any time is encouraging and for Valencia fans, who feared the summer clear out of players would lead to a painful season, will be delighted to have opened their newspapers on Monday to see Los Murcelagos flying high after their 4- 2 win over local rivals Levante. A goal in the first minute by Morales would have had the alarm bells ringing, but an equaliser by Gabriel after 12 minutes would have calmed things a little. Morales would put Levante ahead for a second time, before Gómez equalised approaching half- time. In the second period, two strikes from Manu Vallejo took Valencia
clear, although the second of those, coming deep into injury time, probably put a gloss on the scoreline that may not have been warranted, especially as the visitors had the advantage in possession and shots at goal. Javi Gracia and the fans who left the Mestalla feeling a little more encouraged about the season will care little for those sorts of statistics though. All they need to do is look at their top position in the table to keep them comfortable. The home fans would also have been encouraged by the burgeoning potential of Korean Lee Kang- in. As well as an impressive general performance, the teenager also provided assists for two of Valencia’s goals. The gaps left by players now departed could give the midfielder his chance to shine.
Next week, Los Blancos make their bow as defending champions with a visit to San Sebastian and the Anoeta to face Real Sociedad. It’ll be a return visit for Martin Ødegaard, now back with his parent club after a successful loan period in the Basque Country. Zidane’s team selection will be fascinating, and may give us some kind of indication of how he sees the new season shaping up for his players. Who will start in midfield and further forward? If the Norwegian is in the eleven it’s both a compliment to the progress he’s made whilst away from the club and a warning to a few players who may feel their place is now under pressure. Might there even be a game for Gareth Bale? Nope, I don’t think so either!
Once the season settles down after the next few weeks, we’ll get a better idea of the lie of the land and who’ll be competing towards the top end and who’s going to be struggling at the bottom. For now, though, let’s allow Valencia fans to enjoy their top spot. It may not last long, but a day in the sun is always welcome. Catch you next week!