Andoni Iraola. _(Image: Richard Crease)_
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.
ANDONI Iraola was pleased with his side’s showings against Real Sociedad in what was a first for him as the [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) played two full games against the La Liga side.
The two teams met first in a behind-closed-doors friendly in the morning at the performance centre, before playing in front of the first crowds of the season at the Vitality Stadium.
Both games ended in a draw, the first at 1-1 and the second 0-0, and crucially saw every Cherries player get through without injury.
Reflecting on the day, Iraola said: “I'm happy with today, I think, because it's the first time I do this, we played two games in the same day and at least I think they have been level games, competitive games and no one got injured.
“That is the biggest fear. To start the season and playing most of the players 90 minutes. I think everyone has finished well. So positive in that way about it.
“Pre-season, the rest of the results, you don't really know how you are until you start the competition.
“Because now in pre-season, it’s a little bit fake everything. No, because it's not the starting 11. We try different things and we will know it in a week, knowing that it's going to be a difficult game.”
The Cherries begin their Premier League campaign against Liverpool on Friday night at Anfield.