MADRID -- Actual Madrid had been held to a 0-0 draw by Actual Sociedad on the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to fall 5 factors behind leaders Barcelona on the prime of LaLiga.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
Madrid dominated the primary half however had been unable to transform that superiority into targets. Vinicius Junior shot huge early on, and was denied by keeper Alex Remiro when via on purpose earlier than half-time. After the break, Vinicius and Rodrygo each went shut -- Remiro saving from Vinicius as soon as once more -- as Madrid needed to accept some extent.
JUMP TO: Greatest/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Postmatch quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures
Fast response
1. Madrid's Brazilians unable to search out crowning glory
With Karim Benzema not fairly at his greatest, Vinicius and Rodrygo share the goal-scoring duty for Actual Madrid. The Brazilians had been a continuing menace to the La Actual defence on Sunday, with all of Madrid's greatest attacking moments coming from one or the opposite.
Rodrygo's confidence is sky excessive after his goal-of-the-season contender in Thursday's Madrid derbi, and he carried that kind into this recreation. He was the most effective participant on the pitch within the first half and continued to pose a menace within the second, solely denied a purpose by a flying block from defender Igor Zubeldia.
Vinicius did not take advantage of the conditions he created for himself. He shot huge after nutmegging Zubeldia within the first half and was unable to discover a medical end when one-on-one with Remiro. Extra possibilities got here his method later, with Remiro standing tall to claw away Vini's tried scoop over the keeper.
In the long run, neither participant was capable of finding a well past Remiro, however it wasn't for lack of making an attempt.
2. Camavinga, Ceballos seize their possibilities
A mixture of a full-back harm disaster -- with Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba all unavailable -- and a midseason stoop in kind from midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have handed Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos a priceless alternative this month to indicate how a lot they'll contribute to this Actual Madrid staff.
Camavinga was picked right here at left-back after impressing within the place when Mendy went off damage in opposition to Atletico Madrid. It is unlikely to be his long-term position -- his qualities as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder are all too evident -- however on this restricted proof, the France worldwide seems like a helpful emergency choice, particularly when capable of get ahead.
In the meantime Ceballos has by no means felt this very like a Actual Madrid participant. 5 and a half years since he joined from Actual Betis, he's lastly getting a run of video games in midfield and appears to be relishing each minute. After coming off the bench to win Madrid's Copa del Rey tie at Villarreal on Jan. 19, he began in opposition to Athletic Membership per week in the past, shone off the bench in opposition to Atletico, and was a continuing, busy midfield presence right here.
You continue to surprise if Ceballos has what it takes to begin for Madrid each week, however he could not have made a greater case for a contract renewal, along with his present deal as a consequence of expire this summer season.
3. La Actual present third place in LaLiga isn't any fluke
Actual Sociedad have been one of many tales of the season in LaLiga -- unquestionably the third-best facet within the division behind Barcelona and Madrid -- and right here they confirmed they're greater than able to competing with the massive two.
In truth, La Actual may have come away with all three factors if centre-forward Alexander Sorloth had taken two presentable possibilities that fell his method, one in every half. His is a place that should be strengthened if the Basque staff are to step up one other stage and make a behavior of difficult Barca and Madrid.
Such is the power of this squad elsewhere -- packed filled with homegrown gamers -- that the staff may address subpar performances from two of their greatest, Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez. This was a night the place none of La Actual's ahead gamers actually shone -- maybe their greatest was Takefusa Kubo, previously of Madrid -- and it was their resolute defence that impressed.
Zubeldia and Robin Le Normand had been excellent at centre-back, and the often-inconsistent Remiro stored them within the recreation with some essential saves. La Actual are identified for an attack-minded model of soccer, however right here they confirmed a distinct facet to their recreation and deservedly left the Bernabeu with some extent.
Greatest and worst performers
BEST: Dani Ceballos, Actual Madrid. Impressed once more. On this way, you could not argue with the membership deciding to supply him a brand new contract.
BEST: Vinicius Junior, Actual Madrid. Appeared harmful time and time once more, however lacked the crowning glory.
BEST: Alex Remiro, Actual Sociedad. Made two massive saves from Vinicius, one in every half.
WORST: Mikel Oyarzabal, Actual Sociedad. Nonetheless feeling his method again from a long-term harm, he had a really quiet evening.
WORST: Brais Mendez, Actual Sociedad. The most important impression he made was a foul problem on Ceballos.
WORST: Aihen Munoz, Actual Sociedad. Had a tough time up in opposition to Madrid's ahead line and was substituted at half-time.
Highlights and notable moments
Vinicius had the magic, however the end wasn't fairly there on this evening.
What a show that is, @vinijr!! pic.twitter.com/Cl0lEmh0ac
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) January 29, 2023
After the match: What the gamers/managers stated
Nacho: "It was a good game, very intense. We had the better chances and we didn't take them, the draw is a shame. ... Remiro and La Real are having a great season. We did a good job but [the draw] leaves us with a bad taste. ... When you have clear chances and you miss them ... It's a long season, we have to keep going."
Remiro: "[Manager] Imanol [Alguacil] gets the best out of us. It isn't coincidence. ... He knows how to get it right."
Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Data analysis)
- Actual Madrid had been the final staff in Europe's Huge 5 leagues to have scored in all of their matches this season in all competitions.
- Actual Sociedad now have 15 clear sheets in all competitions, solely Barcelona (16) have extra amongst LaLiga groups.
Up subsequent
Actual Madrid: Madrid welcome Valencia to the Bernabeu on Thursday in LaLiga play (3 p.m. ET, stream stay on ESPN+).
Actual Sociedad: La Actual will get an additional few days' relaxation, internet hosting Actual Valladolid on Sunday in league play (12:30 p.m. ET, stream stay on ESPN+)
Supply hyperlink - espnfc.com