MADRID — Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw by Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to fall five points behind leaders Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.
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Madrid dominated the first half but were unable to convert that superiority into goals. Vinicius Junior shot wide early on, and was denied by keeper Alex Remiro when through on goal before half-time. After the break, Vinicius and Rodrygo both went close — Remiro saving from Vinicius once again — as Madrid had to settle for a point.
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Rapid reaction
1. Madrid’s Brazilians unable to find finishing touch
With Karim Benzema not quite at his best, Vinicius and Rodrygo share the goal-scoring responsibility for Real Madrid. The Brazilians were a constant menace to the La Real defence on Sunday, with all of Madrid’s best attacking moments coming from one or the other.
Rodrygo’s confidence is sky high after his goal-of-the-season contender in Thursday’s Madrid derbi, and he carried that form into this game. He was the best player on the pitch in the first half and continued to pose a threat in the second, only denied a goal by a flying block from defender Igor Zubeldia.
Vinicius didn’t make the most of the situations he created for himself. He shot wide after nutmegging Zubeldia in the first half and was unable to find a clinical finish when one-on-one with Remiro. More chances came his way later, with Remiro standing tall to claw away Vini’s attempted scoop over the keeper.
In the end, neither player was able to find a way past Remiro, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
2. Camavinga, Ceballos seize their chances
A combination of a full-back injury crisis — with Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba all unavailable — and a midseason slump in form from midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have handed Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos a priceless opportunity this month to show how much they can contribute to this Real Madrid team.
Camavinga was picked here at left-back after impressing in the position when Mendy went off hurt against Atletico Madrid. It’s unlikely to be his long-term role — his qualities as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder are all too evident — but on this limited evidence, the France international looks like a useful emergency option, especially when able to get forward.
– Real Madrid were the last team in Europe’s Big Five leagues to have scored in all of their matches this season in all competitions.
– Real Sociedad now have 15 clean sheets in all competitions, only Barcelona (16) have more among LaLiga teams.
Up next
Real Madrid: Madrid welcome Valencia to the Bernabeu on Thursday in LaLiga play (3 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+).
Real Sociedad: La Real will get an extra few days’ rest, hosting Real Valladolid on Sunday in league play (12:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+)
