Spurs loan watch: Frustrating day for Tottenham loanee

Ajelo Veliz and Espanyol fell to a late defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad.

Veliz once again started for Espanyol, partnering captain Javi Puado in a 442 formation from their manager Manolo Gonzalez. Whatever ends up happening, it is clear he is valued more at Espanyol than he was in his disappointing loan at Sevilla during the second half of last season.

Espanyol bunkered in for a lot of games, with the game plan to defend deep, soak up pressure and try and hit their visitors in transition. Veliz was doing his fair bit to contribute, In the first half alone, he had made three clearances, won 4/6 ground and aerial duels, and drawn three fouls to get his side up the pitch.

The first shot of the game for Veliz was in first-half injury time, forcing a save from Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro with a left-footed strike from just inside the 18-yard box.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Veliz found himself in the referees' book for dissent, picking up a yellow card. Worse was to come, though, as the striker missed two good chances not long after.

Spurs loan watch: Frustrating day for Tottenham loanee

First, he dragged a shot wide from inside the box when well placed, and then, from six yards out was denied by Remiro, in a much bigger chance, just seven minutes later.

To put a positive spin on it, it is encouraging to see him getting into the areas to get chances, and if he continues to do that, the goals will come.

The strikers' tenacity continued to show in the second half too, drawing another three fouls and making another two clearances. Veliz had his fourth shot on the game after 71 minutes, shooting wide from just inside the box.

Disaster struck not long after, as Takefusa Kubo scored the only goal of the game ten minutes from time, as La Real were able to see out a narrow victory on the road, to condemn Veliz and Espanyol to two defeats from two to kick off the new season.

As for their next game, life does not get any easier for Veliz and his Espanyol counterparts, either. They face Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night in a full midweek La Liga fixture. Kick-off is 20:30 BST, 15:30 ET.