Rafa Benitez endured a miserable return to La Liga as Celta Vigo lost their opening game of the campaign at home to Osasuna.
The Galicians opted to bring in veteran coach Benitez over the summer with the 63-year-old boasting one of the most varied CV’s in European football.
However, despite some positive flashes of form in preseason, they were undone in Vigo by a fired up Osasuna team.
Benitez’s charges were on the back foot from the start in this tie, as Ante Budimir hit a post early on, before Ruben Garcia nodded the visitors in front, as Budimir’s towering header came back off the bar.
Ruben Garcia heads in! 👏
Osasuna look keen to pick up where they left off with last season's success 🔴 pic.twitter.com/edxzodxA2V
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
Osasuna continued to carry the fight to Celta after the restart and Moi Gomez was on hand to slam home the clincher on 75 minutes.
Rafa Benítez loses his first LALIGA game as manager of Celta 😬 pic.twitter.com/lNAiQ4ugEv
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
Benítez now finds himself under some early pressure ahead of travelling to Real Sociedad next weekend.
Concerning start for Rafael Benítez at Celta Vigo, losing 0-2 at home to Osasuna and without a shot on target. His first match in the dugout since leaving Everton in January last year. Cameo for Gabri Veiga, despite being close to joining Napoli. Could be a long season.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 13, 2023
In Sunday’s other early fixture, Real Betis headed to Villarreal, in a clash between La Liga’s two representatives in this season’s Europa League.
Villarreal edged out Los Verdiblancos in the league standings battle in the final weeks of the 2022/23 season, finishing fifth and sixth respectively, but the tables were turned in the opening round of matches in 2023/24.
Despite the hosts dominating the early stages, Real Betis seized their chance, as the returning Ayoze Perez calmly slotted home following Luiz Henrique’s superb run and cross.
Ayoze Pérez scores the opener for Betis at the Cerámica 🌴
Isco's pass in the build-up, though 🤌 pic.twitter.com/wgzAdsZfAJ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
That goal opened the tie up after the half time break, and Jorge Cuenca glanced home a deserved equaliser for the hosts, with his first club goal, but Willian Jose had the final say, with an added time winner in Castellon.
💛😃 ¡Así celebró @jorgecuenca22 su primer gol con la camiseta del @VillarrealCF! #LALIGAEASPORTS | #VillarrealRealBetis pic.twitter.com/rbcwKoGxvS
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) August 13, 2023
Late drama at the Cerámica! 🤯
Willian José scores deep into injury time to help Real Betis to three points 👏🌴 pic.twitter.com/DQPLNDS4uC
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) August 13, 2023
Up next for Manuel Pellegrini is a home tie up against Atletico Madrid with Villarreal facing long trip to the Balearic Islands to take on Mallorca.
Images via Getty Images
