Madrid, Aug 1 (IANS) Real Sociedad became the first Spanish club to play a competitive game in the 2014-2015 season when they kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 win at home to Scottish club, Aberdeen.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side finished seventh in the BBVA Primera Liga last season, obliging them to face two complicated preliminary rounds in order to reach the group stage of the Europa League, reports Xinhua.
Aberdeen, accompanied by a good number of supporters, reached San Sebastian after knocking Gothenburg out of the competition and in the first half Thursday they looked to be sharper than the Basque outfit, which had spent less time preparing for the tie.
Real Sociedad have also lost key players, Antoine Griezmann, who was presented as a new signing by Atletico Madrid Thursday, and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo who has joined FC Barcelona, meaning Enaut Zubikarai replaced him in goal.
Aberdeen got off to the brighter start, looking to move the ball, but as the game progressed, Real Sociedad were able to gain increasing control of the game and the home side opened the scoring after 53 minutes when David Zurutuza finished off a good move started by right back Joseba Zaldua.
Sergio Canales added a second goal shortly after the hour, after which the home side were content with a positive result to take to the north of Scotland next week, however, had striker Imanol Agirretxe not missed two good chances, after coming on with just 15 minutes remaining, they would have kicked off their season with an even more convincing win.