Valencia’s Rodrigo struck a fine second-half volley to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Atlético Madrid in an end-to-end clash as both sides got their La Liga campaigns under way on Monday.

Ángel Correa put the visitors ahead when he fired home in the 26th minute from Antoine Griezmann’s cunning pass, but Rodrigo volleyed home in the 55th minute after a rare mistake by defender Diego Godín, and the hosts had the better chances to win the match.

“For much of the game we were superior to Atlético Madrid,” said the Valencia coach, Marcelino. “We had a lot more chances than in either of the games last season.”

The visitors began in an attacking formation and broke the deadlock when Griezmann’s through pass allowed Correa to beat the offside trap and drill the ball past Neto.

Diego Costa came close to doubling the lead but Neto denied him with a fine save, before Valencia punished their opponents’ openness at the back. Rodrigo equalised with a well-taken goal after centre-back Godín misjudged the flight of the ball.

Ángel Correa celebrates after opening the scoring for Atlético Madrid. Photograph: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Gabriel Paulista hit the post for the hosts as Marcelino threw on new signings Kevin Gameiro and Michy Batshuayi. The Belgian striker put Daniel Wass through on goal in the 90th minute, but the midfielder was denied by Atlético keeper Jan Oblak.

Atlético’s coach, Diego Simeone, back on the touchline after suspension forced him to watch the Uefa Super Cup win over Real Madrid from the stands, appeared satisfied with the result although he criticised his team’s “disorder in the second half”.

“Taking points off Valencia is not easy,” he said. “Last year I said they would fight to improve and I wasn’t wrong. This year they will keep growing.”

Elsewhere, Mauricio Pellegrino began his Leganes reign with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao. The former Southampton manager saw his side fall behind after 28 minutes when teenage defender Peru Nolaskoain glanced home a debut goal.

Jonathan Silva’s deflected drive soon brought Leganes level, but Iker Muniain struck a dramatic winner for Athletic in the third minute of stoppage time.