Real Madrid 0-0 Real Sociedad: Stalemate at the Bernabeu as La Real frustrate Madrid in La Liga title chase setback

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.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ALEX REMIRO (REAL SOCIEDAD)

The 27-year-old put in a stunning performance in goal for his side, making save after save to keep the game level – his reflex save to deny Vini Jr from close range being the pick of the bunch. In total he made seven saves, three of those coming from shots taken inside the box. It was a confident performance from a goalkeeper who has conceded just two goals in his last nine appearances for Real Sociedad, keeping seven clean sheets during that time.

TALKING POINT – CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAMING

Real Sociedad did what only two other sides have been able to do this season in La Liga and take points off Madrid at the Bernabeu. They sit third in La Liga after 19 games – with a healthy five point gap over Atletico Madrid in fourth. La Real are now unbeaten in their last seven La Liga games and this incredible form has their supporters dreaming of Champions League football, a competition they haven’t played in since the 2013-14 season. It’s only the halfway point and there is a lot more football to play, but if La Real can keep putting in superb performances there is no reason why they can’t be back amongst Europe’s elite next season.

PLAYER RATINGS

REAL MADRID: Courtois 7, Nacho 7, Militao 8, Rudiger 7, Camavinga 7, Valverde 7, Kroos 7, Ceballos 7, Rodrygo 8, Benzema 7, Vini jr 7 SUBS: Modric 6, Asensio 6

REAL SOCIEDAD: Alex Remiro 9, Munoz 6, Le Norman 7, Zubeldia 8, Elustondo 6, Zubimendi 6, Illaramendi 6, Mendez 6, Kubo 7, Sorloth 6, Oyarzabal 6 SUBS: Rico 6, Olasagasti 6, Marin 6, Navarro 6, Fernandez 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

6′ BIG CHANCE! – That is a huge chance for La Real. Aihen Munoz fires in a vicious cross across the face of goal which Alexander Sorloth could only get the faintest of touches on. A stronger contact and that would have surely been 1-0 to Sociedad.

14′ SO CLOSE! – That was mesmerising from Vinicius Junior! He sticks it through Zubeldia’s legs before aiming for the bottom corner but his effort is mere inches wide of the post!

17′ WIDE! – So close to the opening goal from Asier Illarramendi! He thumps it first time inside the area and it is just wide.

45′ BIG SAVE! – That is Real Madrid’s best chance of the match so far! Real Sociedad gift Madrid the ball and Benzema is able to lay it of to Vinicius who sees his effort saved.

71′ WHAT A SAVE! – A superb save from Remiro! Vinicius Junior skips past two defenders to go one-v-one with Remiro, the Brazilian tried to chip Remiro put the goalkeeper was able to claw it away with a fantastic save.

KEY STAT

Vinicius Junior attempted 21 dribbles (9 completed) – the most in any La Liga match since 2005/06 (via Opta Jose).