Girona fight back for entertaining 1-1 draw at Real Betis; Athletic Bilbao-Getafe also ends in draw

Aug. 16, 2024, 3:49 a.m.

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Last season’s Spanish surprise package Girona fought back to earn an entertaining 1-1 draw at Real Betis on the first day of the new La Liga season on Thursday. The Catalan minnows secured a third-place finish but after key players including Savinho, Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia departed in the summer, Michel Sanchez needed to rebuild ahead of their debut Champions League campaign.

They quickly fell behind when Marc Bartra powered home a header from Nabil Fekir’s corner to send Betis ahead after six minutes.

Advertisement New Girona arrival Abel Ruiz hit the post on the hour mark and at the other end goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga tipped over from Aitor Ruibal in an engrossing clash at Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium.

Girona drew level when two substitutes combined, with Iker Almena setting up Dutch youngster Gabriel Misehouy, who joined from Ajax this summer, to finish.

Betis striker Chimy Avila narrowly missed with a powerful shot as both teams came close in a thrilling end-to-end finish.

Michel’s Girona, in only their fifth top flight season, showed signs of the exciting attacking game that thrilled fans last season despite the significant upheaval in their squad.

Earlier Athletic Bilbao and Getafe shared another 1-1 draw in the season’s opening clash.

Los Leones midfielder Oihan Sancet put his team ahead at San Mames with a well-taken long-range strike after 27 minutes.

Getafe had opportunities to equalize after halftime, but Peter Gonzalez struck the upright and Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla made an outstanding save to deny Carles Alena a one-on-one chance.

Jose Bordalas’ side were on top and levelled through Nigeria midfielder Chrisantus Uche on his Getafe debut, steering home a header from a corner.

In response, Ernesto Valverde brought on winger Nico Williams, who shone for Spain during their Euro 2024 triumph this summer, but Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao were unable to find a winner.

Advertisement Defending champions Real Madrid begin their campaign on Sunday against Real Mallorca, bolstered by the arrival of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who is set to make his La Liga debut.

Catalan giants Barcelona have a tough trip to face Valencia on Saturday in their new coach Hansi Flick’s competitive debut at the helm.