MADRID: Effusive hugs to celebrate goals, shoves and scuffles following hard fouls, players not following the new norm of social distancing urged by authorities during water breaks or when leaving the pitch.

Everything inside the touch lines almost looked the same as pre-pandemic times on the second day of the return of La Liga after a three-month stoppage. The only exception that broke the illusion of normality of Valencia drawing with Levante 1-1 and Granada beating Getafe 2-1 on Friday were the medics wearing face masks while attending players who had suffered a bad knock.

Off the pitch it was another story. Reserve players, used substitutes, and assistant coaches sat separated by several seats. Ball boys had orders to disinfect balls before putting them back in play. Everyone except the active players and the head coaches wore face masks to reduce the contagion risk for the coronavirus that has spread death across the globe and made sports authorities rethink how to keep athletes, referees, and staffs safe.

Ten-man Levante scored a 98th-minute penalty to snatch a draw against Valencia and Granada came from behind to beat Getafe on a miserable night for the league’s top-four hopefuls, meaning Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad have the chance to capitalise on Sunday.

Valencia looked to have grabbed a later winner themselves at an empty Mestalla when Rodrigo Moreno diverted in at the near post in the 89th minute.

But Mouctar Diakhaby pulled down Ruben Vezo deep into injury-time and Gonzalo Melero made no mistake, equalising for Levante from the spot.

The visitors also had Roger Marti sent off for a second yellow card in the 74th minute.

Granada, also playing behind closed doors at Los Carmenes, scored in the 70th and 79th minutes as a Djene Dakonam own-goal and Carlos Fernandez’s finish wiped out Getafe’s lead, given to them in the first half by David Timor.

Defeat means Getafe stay fifth, handing Atletico the chance to overtake them if they can win away at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Valencia remain seventh, three points of adrift of Real Sociedad, who are at home on Sunday to Osasuna.

Granada, who were only promoted last season, move up to eighth, with the Europa League places now in sight while Levante edge up to 12th.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2020