La Liga Round-Up: Julian Alvarez debuts in Atletico thriller, Valladolid win battle of promoted sides
Monday night saw the first La Liga Matchday round for the week, with two intriguing if tight affairs.
Real Valladolid 1-0 Espanyol
Valladolid started their season with three invaluable points over survival rivals Espanyol, before a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu. A vibrant Pucela took advantage of a rocking atmosphere to thrash the visitors in the first half, with Selim Amallah and Raul Moro wreaking havoc on the break. The latter would have the breakthrough in the first half with a deflected effort, but Amath Ndiaye could have made it two on the stroke of half-time.
Los Pericos competed better in the second half, and Javi Puado was unable to capitalize on a half chance, and substitute Irvin Cardona went close shortly after his introduction. When the game reached its climax, however, Valladolid prevented from being a great finish. They kept Espanyol at arm's length and held on until the end.
Villarreal 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico manager Diego Simeone handed debuts to star signings Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, with Julian Alvarez come off the bench in an exciting encounter. Los Rojiblancos wreaked havoc on the right, with Samuel Lino forcing a good save from Diego Conde, and then Reinildo Mandava having a goal ruled out.
After first pressure from Athleticit was the Yellow Submarine that took the lead. A long ball back found Arnaut Danjuma, who buried Axel Witsel in the box, moved a yard, and found a corner to finish. A minute later, however, Marcos Llorente beat Sergi Cardona and was freed by a fine interplay, with Antoine Griezmann sending him behind. Llorente drove towards goal and unchallenged, put it into the roof of the net from the near post.
Five minutes before the break, however, a loose corner was returned to Alex Baena, who flicked a ball in from the left – with enough mustard to fool Jan Oblak, taking a touch at Koke Resurreccion on his way into the next. Returning to his old club, however, Sorloth got on the scoresheet level before the break, with a brilliant ball before Pablo Barrios put the ball on his head.
He was surprisingly withdrawn at half-time for Angel Correa, and the second half had much more of a rhythm. The home team still marginally had the better of it, with Atlético having the better of the first period. Nicolas Pepe threatened a dream debut with a free-kick off the bar, but eventually two tired sides settled for a point in the first game of the season. Alvarez came in the final stage, but could not make too much of an impact.
