The World Today
MADRID, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)
Valencia and Real Sociedad drew (1-1) this Saturday in their first LaLiga EA Sports match, held at Mestalla, while Deportivo Alavés started with a home victory and in injury time over Levante (2-1).
The clash between Valencia and the Basque team became more lively in the second half. In the first, Real Sociedad were the better side, dominating and possessing more of the ball, with some sense of danger, although scoring chances were conspicuous by their lack of opportunities. The 'txuri-urdin' team began to reappear as they had struggled with scoring from previous seasons when Valencia took the lead on their first opportunity.
Diego López made it 1-0 near the hour mark after a great save from Dani Raba, but Real Sociedad responded immediately thanks to Take Kubo's inspiration (1-1). The match then became a back-and-forth affair, with both teams having a chance to score a second. The wear and tear and tired legs of August took their toll in the end, and both sides were content with the draw.
Carlos Corberán's team showed a bit more depth and the attitude that the Cheste-born coach has instilled since his arrival last Christmas Day. Meanwhile, Sergio Francisco's team, Real's new manager following Imanol Alguacil's tenure, demonstrated that they have the game, although the goal, with their eyes on what Orri Óskarsson missed, seems to be elusive once again.
In the other night session match this Saturday, Alavés earned a deserved victory at the last minute thanks to Nahuel Tenaglia's goal in the 92nd minute. Toni Martínez took advantage of his starting spot to make it 1-0 just after the half-hour mark, and Levante didn't come around until the second half, forced to concede.
The newly promoted side, struggling to secure sufficient players in the transfer market, quickly found their reward, almost unintentionally, with a fortunate move by Jeremy Toljan to make it 1-1. Mariano was the catalyst for 'Chacho' Coudet, but Julián Calero's team held on until Mendizorroza was able to celebrate their first three points in their debut in stoppage time.
