Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Deportivo La Coruna a first-half lead before Marc Aguado's header pulled Elche level with 14 minutes to go, in a game both coaches felt reflected the demands of life back in the top flight.
Deportivo head coach Antonio Hidalgo saw plenty to work with despite the dropped points.
"It's complicated, the Primera Division. We have to adjust a lot of things, we're going to have a lot of stress throughout the campaign and we have to handle it well," he said.
Asked to sum up the contest, Hidalgo felt his side controlled the first half before Elche took over.
"We went ahead but with some misalignments, and tired legs meant they equalised. Elche demand a lot from you... we competed well, it's a point, and now it's time to think about Málaga," he added.
Elche head coach Martín Anselmi was pleased with how his side responded on their own return to the top flight.
"It was a very good match on our part. You could see what we want to do, which is compete and be present in the game at all times. We put in a very complete performance with several good situations. I think we were superior in almost every aspect of the game," he said.
Anselmi also praised the contribution of several young players handed their debuts.
"Some lads made their debuts, which is a reward for them after doing well in preseason. I prefer not to speak with too much emotion, but to give a more concrete analysis after the match. But I think Elche competed and were superior."
On Deportivo's return to the division, Anselmi was full of respect for the hosts: "They came back to the top flight as a big club after so many years, on a special night at their stadium. They have players of real quality, who move well and can resolve things in a single action. Even though we were superior, our opponents competed with us."
Asked about the identity he is building at Elche following on from predecessor Eder Sarabia, Anselmi acknowledged the continuity but also the differences in his approach.
"Eder did a great job. He gave the team an identity over the last two seasons. It's no coincidence that I'm sitting here. The club has an essence in terms of its style of play and sought continuity. When it comes to attacking, Eder and I share a lot of the same feel for the game, though with some nuances.
"When it comes to defending, you already saw some different things. Last year, there was a lot of man-marking. We believe we also have to defend as a team, and understand when we need to jump to go in pairs."
Breaking down the goals, Anselmi credited Deportivo's opener to a gap in his side's defensive structure while praising his own team's set-piece work.
"Deportivo's goal came from an area we left uncovered, and there's a gap between Affengruber and Buba. I need to see it again to work out how to close it down. And credit to Aubameyang for the control and the finish. For our goal, we worked the set-piece well. You could already see that in the first action."
Asked whether the result was a fair one, Anselmi was reluctant to be drawn.
"I don't like putting myself in that position. Football is what it is. It ended level. I think we were superior, but deserving to win is an unprovable place to put yourself. We had several chances. I think Leo Román was the man of the match. We controlled the game in the way we understand control."