Atletico Madrid got their La Liga campaign up and running in less than convincing fashion when Antoine Griezmann’s deflected free kick secured an edgy 1-0 win at home to promoted Las Palmas on Saturday.
Valencia, who like Atletico are hoping to challenge heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title, also failed to shine in their opening game of the season and were held to a 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano.
Griezmann’s strike clipped the Las Palmas wall on its way into the net in the 17th minute at the Calderon but Atletico struggled to create further chances and the visitors, back in Spain’s top flight for the first time in 13 years, made them sweat in the second half.
Las Palmas defender David Simon was left unmarked at the far post and headed against the crossbar and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had to make an excellent save when the ball ricocheted towards goal at a corner 18 minutes from time.
Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, making his La Liga debut after joining from Porto in the close season, had a quiet night before making way for Fernando Torres midway through the second period.
"We played a good first half and controlled the match," Atletico fullback Filipe Luis told Spanish television.
"But obviously the scoreline was precarious because if Las Palmas had scored it looked like it would have been difficult for us to get another," added the Brazil international, who has returned to Madrid after a year at English champions Chelsea.
"But we controlled the match at all times and were very solid in defence so I think it was a deserved victory.
"It’s always challenging in the opening game after a tough pre-season and we just need to keep improving."
Valencia, who play the second leg of their Champions League playoff at Monaco on Tuesday having won Wednesday’s first leg 3-1, appeared sluggish on a sultry night at Rayo's stadium in the Madrid suburbs.
Nuno's side were missing several key players, including captain Dani Parejo, due to suspensions carried over from last season and were lucky to come away with a point as Rayo dominated in the second half and squandered several openings.
Alvaro Negredo came close to snatching a win for the visitors in the 91st minute but his fierce shot was brilliantly saved by Rayo goalkeeper Tono.
Valencia will need to up their game if they are to hold off Monaco and secure a lucrative berth in the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.
Espanyol joined Atletico, champions in 2014, on three points at the top when they won 1-0 at home to Getafe, while David Moyes' Real Sociedad side were held to a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna.
PSV held to second draw in three matches
Champions PSV Eindhoven were held to a draw for the second time in three games at the start of the new Dutch league season as they played out a 1-1 stalemate at Heerenveen on Saturday.
Luuk de Jong equalised midway through the second half after the hosts had taken the lead through a 55th minute penalty from Caner Cavlan.
The result followed a 2-2 draw at ADO Den Haag in PSV's opening match and a 2-0 home win over Groningen last week.
Four goals from Oussama Tannane ensured a 6-1 away win for Heracles Almelo at SC Cambuur and the provisional lead in the standings with six points.
Tannane completed his hat-trick inside the first half hour and now has five goals for the season.
Second-placed Ajax Amsterdam visit NEC Nijmegen on Sunday when Feyenoord, who are third and also have six points from two games, host Vitesse Arnhem.
Also on Saturday, promoted Roda JC Kerkrade beat De Graafschap with a 37th minute goal from Tom van Hyfte to move up to fourth on six points.
De Graafschap have now lost their opening three matches.
Szczesny makes special double save in Roma first-day draw
AS Roma's bid to end the Juventus stranglehold on Serie A got off to an indifferent start when they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Verona in the opening game of the Serie A season on Saturday. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had an excellent debut for the visitors following his loan move from Arsenal, capped by a brilliant double save.
Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah, who are also on loan, drew a blank on their competitive debuts and it was left to Alessandro Florenzi to snatch a point for Roma who have finished second to Juve for the last two seasons.
"Dzeko was excellent in the first half and had that chance to win it with a header at the end," said coach Rudi Garcia, starting his third season in charge.
"Dzeko and Salah need time to settle into the side but they've already done very well."
Lazio, third last season, beat promoted Bologna 2-1 in the other game with goals from Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia and 20-year-old Dutchman Ricardo Kishna, making his debut after his move from Ajax Amsterdam, in the first half hour.
Matteo Mancosu replied just before halftime.
Roma keeper Szczesny tipped away a Samuel Souprayen drive and was then rescued by Daniele De Rossi who headed Bosko Jankovic's header off the line three minutes before halftime.
The Polish goalkeeper again excelled early in the second half to deny Emil Hallfredsson and Juanito Gomez.
Szczesny palmed away Hallfredsson's long-range effort and then raced across his goal to get his hand to Gomez's effort from the rebound.
Jankovic was not to be denied, however, as he volleyed Verona ahead from Hallfredsson's cross in the 61st minute.
Florenzi replied five minutes later with a shot out of the blue which caught Verona goalkeeper Rafael off guard.
Dzeko headed over the bar in the closing minutes and Miralem Pjanic was thwarted by a superb stop from Rafael.
