Real Madrid fell five points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona after they were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 0-0 Real Sociedad
Date: 29 January 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Los Blancos made two changes to the side that beat Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, as Rodrygo was recalled to partner with Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema upfront while Dani Cebellos took the place of Luka Modric.
Sociedad went pound for pound with Madrid in the early exchanges and nearly took the lead on 17 minutes after Aiser Iilarramendi latched onto a loose ball in a dangerous area and unleashed a shot that came off the bottom post.Carlo Ancelotti's charges asserted themselves more after that with a sustained attacking spell, as goalkeeper Alex Remiro made two saves in quick succession to deny Federico Valverde and Benzema.
Los Blancos kept Sociedad pinned back in their own half and Vinicius Junior also fancied his chance on the stroke of half-time after finding space on the edge of the box but his threatening shot was repelled by Remiro.
Madrid came back from the break with guns blazing and the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo had glorious chances spurned after going through on goal.
Sociedad were not lying down, as Takefusa Kubo nearly broke the deadlock just after the hour-mark with a low drive that forced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into an out-stretched save.
As the game opened up, Madrid could not believe that they were not ahead with 18 minutes to go after Vinicius Junior had a much clearer chance but once again his shot was tipped wide by Remiro, who kept the visitors in the game.
Ancelotti looked to win the game from the bench soon after that, as Marco Asensio replaced Ceballos for more impetus going forward and Modric took the place of Valverde for fresh legs in midfield.
Los Blancos had the momentum in the dying minutes but Imanol Alguacil's men weathered the storm and Kubo almost stole all the three points at the death but was denied by Courtois, as the game ended all square in the Spanish capital.
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