Valencia–Real Sociedad: Honours Even at Mestalla Curtain Raiser: (1-1)

On a sweltering evening at the Mestalla, the 2025/26 La Liga opener ended in a draw, with both sides using inverted wingers in contrasting tactical setups.

Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh.

Valencia and Real Sociedad kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with renewed optimism, after their respective twelfth- and eleventh-place finishes last term. The opening matchday clash took place at the Mestalla on a sweltering Saturday evening by the Mediterranean, with both sides eager to turn the league opener into a statement victory.

Valencia boss Carlos Corberán, in his first full season at the club after steering the team to safety last term, deployed a 4-4-2 formation, handing three players their debuts: Julen Agirrezabala, José Manuel Copete and Dani Raba.

Agirrezabala was in goal, and the back four consisted of César Tárrega and Copete as centre-backs and Dimitri Foulquier and José Gayà at right- and left-back, respectively. Javi Guerra partnered Pepelu in the centre of midfield with Diego López and Luis Rioja as inverted wide men, supporting Raba and Hugo Duro in attack.

Real Sociedad boss Sergio Francisco, taking charge of his first game in the Primera División, went with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Álex Remiro between the posts, protected by a back four of Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Duje Caleta-Car and Ahien Muñoz.

Beñat Turrientes and Pablo Marín were deployed as a double pivot, Take Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea provided the width, while Brais Méndez supported captain Mikel Oyarzabal, who started in the number . . .