LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025 officially kicked off this Thursday with two 1-1 draws, those signed at the Benito Villamarín by Betis and Girona FC after a match with one half for each, and at San Mamés between Athletic Club and Getafe CF, after a duel where the ‘azulones’ only suffered when Nico Williams came on.
At the Benito Villamarín, Girona knew how to react after the break to grab a point to start a campaign in which they have set the bar very high after their excellent performance last season where they finished third and qualified for the Champions League. And they did so away from home against a theoretical direct rival for the European zone, who outplayed them in the first half where they took advantage of an early goal.
The Verdiblancos started with great intensity and barely allowed the visitors to impose their style, especially when Marc Bartra headed perfectly in the 6th minute a corner kick taken by Nabil Fekir. Míchel’s men tried to react, with Bryan Gil being their best weapon, although they hardly had any great chances except for a deflected shot by Yangel Herrera after a cross from the Barbate winger.
Furthermore, as the minutes passed, Betis adjusted and were able to control the match much better. The home side were more dangerous, with Aitor Rubial, the improvised ‘9’ in the absence of more reinforcements, enjoying a very good chance with a long ball that surprised the ‘Gironi’ defence, but the Betis player came up against a successful Paulo Gazzaniga.
However, after the break, the visiting coach found the key and his team came out much more dominant against a Betis side, who opted to take a step back to surprise on the counterattack. Abel Ruiz warned with a shot against the post, although it seemed that Yangel Herrera was in an offside position when he made the cross. The home team responded with a powerful shot from Rodri and another worthy save from Gazzaniga after a counterattack.
Míchel made changes and two of them ended up having an effect. Iker Almena and Gabriel Misehouy served as substitutes and a great run by the former ended with a pass that the Dutch striker, who had not been on the pitch for long, managed to push in to score the equaliser. Immediately after, ‘Chimy’ Ávila made a great shot that crashed into the post and that gave way, after the hydration break, to a frenetic back-and-forth finale with warnings in both areas, but which did not change the score.
GETAFE WORKS FOR A POINT IN SAN MAMÉS
For their part, Athletic Club and Getafe CF drew (1-1) in the match that served as the official start of the new 2024-2025 season of LaLiga EA Sports after a match where the ‘azulones’, despite being short of players, knew how to stop the locals until Nico Williams’ final exit onto the field.
The team coached by José Bordalás presented a very uncomfortable match to the Copa del Rey champions, who were barely able to create any chances, although they knew how to take advantage of an individual move and the saves of Alex Padilla to go ahead, and then they accelerated with the entry of their now franchise player, which was insufficient against the security of David Soria.
Getafe were brave at La Catedral, where Bordalás put a midfielder, Chrisantus Uche, as a ‘9’. He and Carles Pérez created many problems for the Biscayan team’s defence and when it seemed that the visitors were doing better, the 1-0 came. Oihan Sancet received the ball with plenty of space in front of him and headed towards goal to draw a precise shot that was impossible for David Soria to overcome.
The goal did not discourage Getafe, who also lost an important player in Uruguayan midfielder Mauro Arambarri, although they did not cause much concern, with a shot from Carles Pérez being their best option. Athletic Club did not become dominant either, but Iñaki Williams, in long added time, came close to making it 2-0 with a sharp cross shot.
Bordalás made a move in the second half and brought on Peter Federico, in exchange for the somewhat unexpected withdrawal of Carles Pérez. The Dominican was close to equalising as soon as the match resumed, but his shot hit the post. Carles Aleña, Arambarri’s substitute, had a clearer chance shortly after, when he found himself alone against Padilla, who pulled off a brilliant move to postpone the equaliser.
But the chance ended up coming from a corner kick, well headed by Uche and rewarding his good game. Athletic Club tried to wake up despite their poor game in attack and Ernesto Valverde was quick to give the opportunity to an applauded Nico Williams. The winger came on with more than 20 minutes left and his freshness hurt a team that was already somewhat more physically punished.
The international took charge in search of the 2-1 and tried his luck with a great shot, well repelled by a fit David Soria, who was alert shortly afterwards to send a free kick from the youngest of the brothers to the corner, who had become dangerously ‘poisoned’. The locals kept pressing until the end against a Getafe that could no longer deploy itself, but the ‘azulón’ goalkeeper saved them with a fine save from another shot from outside the area by Yuri Berchiche.