Atletico Madrid have started the new La Liga campaign with a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Vicente Calderon.
It was an expected win for Diego Simeone's side, but they were unable to cruise to all three points on a night when the newly-promoted Las Palmas showed impressive resilience.
In a first half containing very few chances, Antoine Griezmann was the first player to threaten the goal when he fired a shot wide of the post from a difficult angle.
The Frenchman did make the breakthrough in the 17th minute when his deflected free kick left Las Palmas goalkeeper Raul Lizoain powerless to keep the ball out of the net.
Unsurprisingly, the 2013-14 champions grew in confidence after making the breakthrough and they twice came close to doubling the lead before the interval as Filipe Luis sent a deflected effort wide of the post, before Raul pushed away a powerful strike from Griezmann.
Las Palmas made the brighter start to the second half, but the visitors were left frustrated when their best chance to get back on level terms ended with David Simon heading against the crossbar after being gifted space in the box.
Atletico enjoyed another long spell on top without enjoying too much success in the final third of the pitch, and Simeone was left thanking Jan Oblak when the goalkeeper protected their slender advantage by pushing away an effort from Aythami, who looked set to capitalise on poor marking from a corner.
Raul came to the rescue with another save from Luis, but his heroics would not be rewarded, though, as Aythami wasted another chance when he headed over the crossbar late on.
Koke was inches away from making it 2-0 when his free kick rattled the post in the closing stages as Atletico started the new campaign with all three points in the capital.
Callum Mulvihill
