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Alex KirklandESPN FC
MADRID – Real Madrid drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, moving them five points clear of leaders Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
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Real Madrid dominated the first half, but were unable to convert this advantage into goals. Vinicius Jr. fired the ball wide of the goal, but it was saved by goalkeeper Alex Remiro when it crossed on goal just before half-time. After the break, Vinicius and Rodrygo came close – Rimiro saved from Vinicius again – with Real Madrid having to settle for a point.
jump to: The best/worst performer | Highlights and notable moments | Quotes after the game | Key stats | Upcoming matches
fast response
1. Real Madrid’s Brazilians are unable to find the finishing touch
With Karim Benzema not at his best, Vinicius and Rodrygo share the goalscoring responsibility with Real Madrid. The Brazilians were a constant threat to no real Defending on Sunday, with all of Real Madrid’s best attacking moments coming from one or the other.
Rodrygo’s confidence is sky high after his rival scoring the best goals of the season in Madrid on Thursday Derby, and download this format in this game. He was the best player on the field in the first half and continued to be a threat in the second half, only to be denied by a goal from defender Igor Zubeldia.
Vinicius did not take advantage of most of the situations he created for himself. He shot wide after getting past Zubeldia in the first half and couldn’t find a clinical finish when he was one-on-one with Remiro. More chances came later, as Remiro stood tall to thwart Viene’s attempt to beat the keeper.
In the end, none of the players could find a way to get 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 the unavailability of Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba – and a mid-season slump in form from midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric gave Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos an invaluable opportunity this month to show just how much they can contribute to the Real Madrid side. this.
Camavinga was chosen here at left-back after his brilliance in the position when Mendy went off the hook against Atletico Madrid. An unlikely long-term role – his qualities as a dynamic midfielder are all too apparent – but based on this limited evidence, the France international looks like a useful emergency option, especially when he is capable of going forward. .
Meanwhile, Ceballos didn’t feel about it like the Real Madrid player. Five and a half years after joining from Real Betis, he’s finally starting to get a handful of appearances in midfield and looks like he’s going to enjoy every minute of it. After coming off the bench to win the Copa del Rey match at Villarreal on January 19th, he started against Athletic Club a week ago, was thrown off the bench against Atletico, and has been an ever-present in midfield here.
You keep wondering if Ceballos has what it takes to start Madrid every week, but he couldn’t have made a better case for a contract renewal, with his current deal set to expire this summer.
3. no real It shows that third place in La Liga is not a coincidence
Real Sociedad has been one of the stories of the season in LaLiga – unquestionably the third best team in the division behind Barcelona and Madrid – and they have shown here that they are more than capable of competing with the big two.
fact, no real He could have taken all three points if striker Alexander Sorloth had taken two great chances that fell his way, one in each half. It is a position that must be strengthened if the Basque side are to rise to another level and accustom themselves to the challenge of Barcelona and Madrid.
Such is the strength of this team elsewhere – which is full of homegrown players – that the team can handle subpar performances from two of their best, Mikel Oyarzabal and Bryce Mendes. This evening was where no one was no realTheir attacking players really shone – perhaps their best being former Madrid player Takefusa Kubo – and it was their solid defense that impressed them.
Zubeldia and Robin Le Norman were terrific at centre-back, and the often inconsistent Remiro kept him in the game with some crucial saves. no real They are known for being an attack-minded type of footballer, but here they showed a different side to their game and deservedly left the Bernabéu with a point.
The best and worst performers
Best: Dani Ceballos, Real Madrid. Impressed again. In this form, you cannot argue with the club that decides to give him a new contract.
The best: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid. It looked dangerous over and over again, but it lacked the finishing touch.
Best: Alex Remiro, Real Sociedad. He set up two great goals from Vinicius, one in each half.
Worst: Mikel Oyarzabal, Real Sociedad. Still feeling his way back from a long-term injury, he had a very quiet night.
Worst: Bryce Mendes, Real Sociedad. The biggest impression he made was a bad challenge on Ceballos.
Worst: Ayhin Munoz, Real Sociedad. He had a difficult time against Madrid’s attacking line and was substituted at half-time.
Highlights and notable moments
Vinicius had the charm, but the ending wasn’t quite there tonight.
what a show this is, @employee!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Cl0lEmh0ac
– LaLigaTV (LaLigaTV) January 29, 2023
After the match: What the players/managers said
Nacho: “It was a good game, very intense. We had better chances and we didn’t take them, the draw is a shame. … Remiro W no real They are having a great season. We did a good job however [the draw] It leaves us with bad taste. … When you have clear chances and you miss … It’s a long season, we have to keep going.”
Remiro: “[Manager] Emmanuel [Alguacil] He gets the best results from us. Not by chance. … knows how to make it right.”
Key stats (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information Research)
Real Madrid were the last team in Europe’s top five leagues to score goals in all their matches this season in all competitions.
Real Sociedad now has 15 clean sheets in all competitions, and only Barcelona (16) has more among LaLiga teams.
next one
Real Madrid: Real Madrid host Valencia at the Bernabéu on Thursday in a LaLiga match (3 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+).
Real Sociedad: no real He will get a few extra days’ rest, as Real host Valladolid on Sunday in the league match (12:30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+)
