Both sides came into the clash aiming to erase memories of last season’s mid-table finishes, but it was the visitors who carried the early threat. Brais Mendez twice went close in the opening stages, first with a fierce drive from the edge of the box that Julen Agirrezabala brilliantly pushed away, then with a header that was tipped behind for a corner. Valencia, meanwhile, looked flat and failed to muster a single shot on target before the interval, leaving the home fans frustrated. 

Whatever Carlos Corberan said at half-time sparked an immediate response, as Valencia returned with far greater intensity. Their pressure was finally rewarded in the 57th minute when Dani Raba floated a clever ball over the defence and Diego Lopez met it with a powerful finish, the hosts scoring with their first effort on target.