With a squad mostly unchanged from last season, Madrid looked out of rhythm and couldn't get more than a point at the Basque's Anoeta Stadium.

Zinedine Zidane's team struggled in attack and needed a good performance by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to salvage the draw.

Madrid had won 10 of their final 11 league matches last season to clinch a first title in three years.

Madrid's first-round match against Getafe was postponed as they played later into last season after reaching the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who made it to the Champions League quarter-finals, had their first two games postponed and won't start their new campaigns until next weekend.

It's the same for Sevilla, who won the Europa League.

Zidane seelcted a similar line-up to that which won the league title for the 34th time, with the only new starter being playmaker Martin Odegaard - who had been on loan with Sociedad until last season.

He was a surprise starter in place of defensive midfielder Casemiro, a regular for Zidane along with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the midfield.

David Silva, who joined Sociedad this summer after a decade at Manchester City, almost enjoyed an ideal debut after coming off the bench in the 63rd minute, but his strike from the edge of the box was blocked by Raphael Varane.

Manuel Pellegrini continued to impress in his coaching return to the Spanish league, leading Real Betis 2-0 over Valladolid for a second straight victory to start the season.

Pellegrini, a former Real Madrid and Manchester City manager, returned to the Spanish league after stints in China and with West Ham in England.

Nabil Fekir opened the scoring by converting a penalty kick in the 10th minute and William Carvalho sealed the victory in the 18th.

Granada also won to make it two wins from as many starts by beating Alaves 2-1 at home with goals by Roberto Soldado in the seventh minute and Darwin Machis in the 79th.

In a match between promoted clubs, Cadiz won 2-0 at Huesca with goals to 35-year-old Alvaro Negredo in the 11th and Jorge Pombo in the 83rd.

Australian Associated Press