A clean sheet and a goal from their marquee arrival were the standout moments of a largely low-key contest at A Magdalena in Vilalba.
Lugo pressed high in the opening stages and denied Deportivo an easy build-up, with a lively Chiqui giving Borja Fernández's side their best early moments. Deportivo were slow to get going and short on ideas, though a strong first quarter of an hour from the visitors could not be converted into a lead. Lugo created several chances from outside the area in the first half but failed to test Álvaro Ferllo's goal with any real accuracy.
Deportivo gradually grew into the game and settled as the half wore on. The breakthrough arrived in stoppage time of the first period, when a swift transition involving Zakaria Eddahchouri picked out Aubameyang, who finished smartly to send Deportivo in front going into the interval.
The second half belonged almost entirely to the home side, who dictated the tempo and created several clear openings around Marc Martínez's goal.
The best of them fell to Nsongo, unmarked at the far post after a good delivery from Kevin, but his effort flew wide, while Noubi also went close with a header that struck the post. Deportivo's control grew more pronounced as the game went on, reflecting the patterns Hidalgo wants to instil, though Lugo's more defensive second-half approach limited further chances for either side.
Line-ups:
Deportivo: Álvaro Ferllo; Samu Fernández, Arnau Comas, Dani Barcia, Xabi Campos; Luismi Cruz, Gijselhart, Villares, Adrián Guerrero; Zakaria Eddahchouri and Aubameyang, with Ximo, Patiño, Leo Román, Nsongo, Amatucci, Soriano, Riki, Noubi, Quagliata, Kevin and Teijo also featuring.
Lugo: Fernando Embadje; Yago Rodríguez, Hugo Pascual, Ibaider Garriz, Pere Haro; Parrilla, Ulloa, Chiqui, Rufo and Álex Gallar, alongside Marc Martínez, Presa, Samanes, Pol Moreno, Palma, Gabri, Buide, Teofilovic, Mateo Muñoz, Simón Luca and Lucas Suárez from the bench.
Referee: María Eugenia Gil Soriano
Crowd: 2,900
Goals: 1-0 (45+1') Aubameyang.