Barça frustrated at Alavés

Deportivo Alavés goalkeeper Roberto Bonano prevented his former club and Spanish champions FC Barcelona from finding the net on the first day of the Primera División season while Francisco Yeste scored the first goal of the 2005/06 campaign in Spain as Athletic Club Bilbao emerged triumphant in the Basque derby.

Alavés bombarded
At the Medizorroza, Barça struggled to prise their way through an unyielding Alavés defence and even when they resorted to long-range attempts, they were met with Bonano. Samuel Eto'o, Ludovic Giuly and Deco all watched as their goalbound efforts were tipped to safety by the Argentinian goalkeeper during the opening 45 minutes.

No goals
In the second half, Ronaldinho was unlucky to see his effort fly off the upright then moments later, Eto'o beat Bonano but the shot flashed the wrong side of the post. The woodwork also denied Rodolfo Bodipo at the other end as Alavés tried to create problems for Barça with some rapid counterattacks, and the match ended goalless.

Yeste breakthrough
At San Mamés, Athletic convincingly defeated Basque rivals Real Sociedad de Fútbol 3-0 to begin the new campaign in impressive fashion. Fran Yeste opened the scoring on 47 minutes, smashing a superb left-footed effort past Asier Riesgo. Fernando Llorente doubled the lead five minutes later, then Luis Prieto arrived to turn in Tiko's free-kick with ten minutes to go.

Astonishing Aimar
Valencia CF recovered from their recent UEFA Intertoto Cup final defeat by overcoming visitors Real Betis Balompié 1-0. The home side dominated from start to finish and were rewarded with a sublime effort from Pablo Aimar on 53 minutes. The Argentinian international controlled a difficult ball in the box, flicked it up with his right foot then rifling into the top corner with his left. Betis forward Ricardo Oliveira hit the bar in the dying moments but Valencia held on for the three points.