La Liga: Real Madrid drop vital points against Real Sociedad in title race
Real Sociedad escaped the Santiago Bernabeu with a precious point to remain three points behind Real Madrid in La Liga.
A really open first half at the Santiago Bernabeu saw both sides able to find space in attacking areas and create big opportunities
It was almost the dream start for Real Sociedad who had a big chance to take the lead after just four minutes. Aihen Munoz fired in a brilliant cross from the left but Alexander Sorloth was unable to take full advantage despite being at full stretch.
The game continued to to-and-fro in the early exchanges and after 14 minutes Real Madrid had their first big chance of the match. Vinicius Junior brilliantly knocked it through the legs of Igor Zubeldia before firing an effort towards goal which drifted just inches wide of the far post.
Real Madrid began to take control of the match towards the end of the first half, putting the visitors under increased pressure. They had their best chance of the first period on the stroke of half time, Karim Benzema latched onto an poor back-pass before playing in Vinicius Junior who saw his effort saved well by goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
Real Madrid came out for the second half with much more energy and attacking purpose, putting Real Sociedad under immediate pressure and fashioning several good chances. The best of which saw Vinicius Junior fire a fierce effort from close range which was saved brilliantly by the imperious Remiro. Los Blancos continued to suffocate Sociedad with pressure, playing almost exclusively in the final third of the pitch and moving the ball around with incredible speed.
Imanol Alguacil’s side did well to weather the Madrid storm and grew back into the game around the 65 minute mark. Takefusa Kubo had two chances in the space of five minutes but saw both saved comfortably by Thibaut Courtois.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had their best chance of the game after 70 minutes. Vinicius Junior skipped past two defenders with ease to put himself one-v-one with Remiro, the Brazilian attempted to chip the goalkeeper but Remiro was able to claw it away with a fantastic save.
Real Madrid continued to push forward in numbers for the last ten minutes but for all their pressure, Sociedad defended extremely well and limited the hosts to very little in terms of clear-cut chances.
For Real Madrid it’s two points dropped in a game they feel they had enough chances to win and for Real Sociedad, it’s an impressive point which fires them five points ahead of Atletico Madrid.
