Sociedad helps Atletico and Barca by tripping Los Blancos

Real Madrid have found their mojo lately, picking up 12 points across the last four rounds compared to title-rival Atlético’s five during the same period but Real Sociedad are tough to beat on the road after registering a 75% unbeaten rate away during the current La Liga campaign. Fans of the reigning champions certainly did not expect a draw at the final whistle however in the end that is exactly what happened. Final score 1-1 at Real Madrid's Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Hosts came out blazing. If only Modric was not blocked by Le Normand in the 19th minute, it would have already been 1-0 for Los Blancos. But what a chance it was in the 22nd minute of the game! First for Mariano and then for Asensio. The Brazilian sent a strong header into the crossbar while Asensio, who caught the rebound, had his shot deflected inches wide from Remiro's left post. Real Madrid were eager to take the lead. Opportunities for Varane, Asensio, Casemiro kept coming but none of them ended up in the opponent's net. They were close again in the 35th minute when one of the defenders bravely blocked the shot from Toni Kroos inside the box.

David Silva was literally invisible in the first half but again, none of the Basque team players stood out in any way - they caused no danger whatsoever. On the other end, Los Blancos kept attacking. Modric again tried in the 43rd minute but the visitor's goalkeeper made a comfortable two-handed save.

Sociedad opened up the second half much much better - their manager Imanol Alguacil must have had a great speech in the locker room. They could have taken the lead from a corner kick in the 49th minute but the attempt went over the crossbar. And they kept going in the first ten minutes of the second period because all the action was happening in the defending third of the home team. The cherry on top for such an approach in the second half came in the 54th minute. Nacho Monreal sent a precise lofted cross into the box and Portu rose above the defenders and headed the ball off the woodwork and into the top left corner of the goal. 0-1 for the San Sebastian guests.

The home team were pressured to equalize as soon as possible and Zinedine Zidane kept pacing through the restricted manager space next to the out-line. He made three substitutes in the 61st minute sending youngsters Hugo Durro, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo onto the pitch. And what a chance it was for Real Madrid to level the score in the 64th minute. A precise cross towards the penalty spot was latched onto by Casemiro. He outjumped the defence and produced a decent header which went a whisker wide of the left post.

Real Madrid kept attacking. They needed those 3 points in order to stay in the title race and heighten their self-esteem and were looking desperate in their attempts. However, organized Sociedad side and lack of luck were against the giants from the capital. Real Sociedad were playing with all 11 players in the defending third and it was incredibly hard for Real Madrid to find the space to shoot. In the 87th Casemiro tried but his shot got blocked just barely.

The stubborn Real Madrid managed to score eventually. In the 88th minute, another Brazilian, Vinicius Jr, tried and scored to make it 1-1. Lucas Vasquez assisted Vinicius, whose deflected shot from inside the box went past the helpless Alejandro Remiro. 1:1.

Zidane cannot be satisfied since his squad should have converted numerous chances they had into goals. With a number of his players still recovering from injuries, it will be hard for Real Madrid to catch up on their city rivals who are leading the league with 5 points more and a game less.

LA LIGA Round 25

Friday

Levante - Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (1-0)

/Roger 33 pen - Garcia 56 pen/

Saturday

Eibar - Huesca 1-1 (0-0)

/Diop 83 - Ramirez 81/

Sevilla - Barcelona 0-2 (0-1)

/Dembele 29, Messi 85/

Alaves - Osasuna 0-1 (0-0)

/Barja 77/

Getafe - Valencia 3-0 (1-0)

/Arambarri 39, Mata 55, Alena 87/

Sunday

Celta - Valladolid 1-1 (0-0)

/Murillo 90 - Orellana 70/

Cadiz - Betis 0-1 (0-0)

/Juanmi 84/

Granada - Elche 2-1 (1-1)

/Quina 31, Puertas 79 - Boye 40/

Villareal - Atletico Madrid 0-2 (0-1)

/Pedraza 25 og, Joao Felix 70/

Monday

Real Madrid - Sociedad 1-1 (0-0)

/Vinicius Jr 88' - Portu 54'/