BARCELONA: Girona substitute Gabriel Miseh­ouy struck in the 72nd minute to rescue a 1-1 draw at Real Betis in their opening game of the new La Liga season on Thursday.

It was an exciting match played on hot summer evening in Seville between two sides who will be among Spain’s representatives in European competition this campaign.

It was the hosts, who will play in the Europa Conference League, who started better and dominated proceedings for the first hour of the match after opening the scoring in the sixth minute.

They grabbed the lead when captain Nabil Fekir lifted a perfect cross from a corner that found defender Marc Bartra at the near post to fire a bullet header into the top corner.

They had chances to extend their advantage but were denied by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who made critical saves from efforts by Aitor Ruibal and Rodri.

However, Girona found their mojo in the last 30 minutes of the game, with Abel Ruiz hitting the post from a counter attack in the 62nd minute.

In a similar play 10 minutes later, Girona managed to equalise thanks to a fine combination between two young substitute players.

Dutch midfielder Miseh­ouy, 19, scored with a first time effort from a low cross by 20-year-old Iker Alm­ena, who sliced two defenders bursting up the right wing before delivering the assist.

Girona coach Michel said he wasn’t surprised by what he saw but that his new player must keep his feet on the ground if he wants to reach his full potential.

“Gabriel (Misehouy) is a brutally talented player, but as of today he still lacks the collective mentality to be a great player,” Michel told DAZN.

“He has a lot of room for improvement. He still doesn’t speak Spanish but I hope he listens to me… Maybe the goal won’t do any good for him, I don’t want it to be… He has a lot of talent, but we have to focus on himself so that he can work for the group in a collective effort.”

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

Los Leones midfielder Oihan Sancet fired his team ahead at San Mames with a fine finish from range after 27 minutes.

Getafe had chances to level after the break but Peter Gonzalez hit the post and Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla made a superb save to deny Carles Alena one-on-one.

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

Ernesto Valverde brou­ght on winger Nico Willi­a­ms, who starred for Spain as they won Euro 2024 this summer, in response but Copa del Rey winners Athl­etic could not find a winner.

Champions Real Madrid open their campaign on Sunday at Real Mallorca boosted by the arrival of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, 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.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2024