Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid
As La Liga matches go, this was a mini-heavyweight clash for the opening weekend of the season.
The Europa League winners and runners-up in the Spanish top flight last season away to the side which surprised many SBOBET followers and claimed a fine fourth place.
Expectations only increase when a side does well and Atletico were suddenly tipped as potential to likely title challengers after their dismantling of Real Madrid in the European Super Cup last week.
Third and fourth favourites for the crown with La Liga 2018 betting odds, this clash at the Mestalla promised to offer an early insight for both teams about the challenge ahead and their own credentials.
Highlights of the game
Only French World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez (suspended) was absent from the Atletico squad which meant Filipe Luiz started at left-back, although he is reported to be a target for big-spending Paris St Germain.
That meant the big La Liga 2018 news was a debut for Thomas Lemar, tipped as one of the stars to spark an Atletico title tilt.
In contrast to Atletico, Valencia coach Marcelino was keen to downplay his side’s progress, saying Los Che would be pleased with another fourth placed finish.
He is undoubtedly being realistic, particularly with the distraction of Champions League football to come when next week’s draw imminent.
It was as much their recruits as the Rojiblancos which made this such an interesting encounter with new recruits such as former Atletico hero Kevin Gameiro, on-loan Chelsea front man MichyBatshuayi, Cristiano Piccini and Daniel Wass all keen to make their mark – the latter two in the starting line-up for this one.
Atletico fans would not have needed reminding that the Belgian striker Batshuayi scored a last-gasp winner against them last season in a 2-1 Chelsea victory which contributed to their Champions League group stage exit.
When the action got underway it was compelling enough and end to end, although chances were mainly restricted to long distance until Diego Costa forced Neto into a 16th minute save after good work from Angel Correa.
When the goal arrived nine minutes later it was Correa who delivered the finish with aplomb, finding the bottom right hand corner of Neto’s net after being played in by Antoine Griezmann, the Atletico talisman.
Valencia continued to probe but again their best efforts came from outside the box and Costa forced another save from Neto, again after more probing from Griezmann.
Wass and Santi Mina both failed to direct headers on target as Valencia became frustrated but they were rewarded with an equaliser 11 minutes after the break.
It was Rodrigo Moreno who provided the finish and ended a barren run for Valencia against their city opponents.
After good work from Wass, who enjoyed an encouraging debut, Rodrigo’s left-foot shot found its way past Jan Oblakinto the top right hand corner.
Rodrigo turned provider a few moments later as Valencia, buoyed by the leveller, pushed hard and Daniel Parejo shot wide.
The match was in the balance and both sides wanted a winning start. Indeed, only the woodwork prevented Valencia from taking the lead as Parejo’s cross was headed against the post by centre back Gabriel.
Gameiro entered the fray moments later soon followed by Batshuayi, while Griezmann was replaced by new boy Gelson Martins.
It was actually a defender, Stefan Savic (formerly of Man City), who went closest with the next half chance before Wass and Batshuayi were denied by Oblak as Valencia threatened a winner.
Vitolo then had a shot blocked and Gameiro nearly wrote the script but neither side were able to add to their tally and it was honours even.
Last season’s meetings between the two sides were tight and only produced one goal – Atletico triumphing at home after a goalless draw in this corresponding fixture – a draw was hardly unexpected.
Both sides, the surprise package and the new pretenders to the crown after years of Real Madrid and Barcelona dominance, are off the mark.
Key statistics
Valencia had failed to score against Atletico in their past four games – more than 400 minutes – before Rodrigo’s leveller.
What’s next?
It’s two away matches in a row now for Valencia.
They travel to Espanyol on August 26 before visiting Levante a week later by which time they’ll know their opponents in the Champions League group stages.
For Atletico Madrid, Rayo Vallecano (August 25) are the first visitors of the new season to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano before a trip to Real Betis on September 1.
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