MADRID — Real Madrid had been held to a 0-0 draw by Real Sociedad on the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to fall 5 factors behind leaders Barcelona on the high of LaLiga.

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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 aim 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 a degree.

JUMP TO: Best/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Postmatch quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures

Speedy response

1. Madrid’s Brazilian gamers unable to search out completion

With Karim Benzema not fairly at his finest, Vinicius and Rodrygo share the goal-scoring accountability for Actual Madrid. They had been a continuing menace to the La Actual defence on Sunday, with all of Madrid’s finest 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 sport. He was one of the best participant on the pitch within the first half and continued to pose a menace within the second, denied a aim solely 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 scientific end when one-on-one with Remiro. Extra probabilities got here his method later, with Remiro standing tall to claw away Vini’s tried scoop over the keeper.

Ultimately, neither participant was capable of finding a well past Remiro, however it wasn’t for lack of attempting.

2. Camavinga, Ceballos seize their probabilities

A mixture of a full-back damage disaster — with Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba all unavailable — and a midseason droop in kind from midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has handed Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos a priceless alternative this month to indicate how a lot they’ll contribute to this Actual Madrid group.

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 appears to be like like a helpful emergency choice, particularly when in a position to 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 Real 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 Club every week in the past, shone off the bench in opposition to Atletico, and was a continuing, busy midfield presence right here.

You continue to marvel if Ceballos has what it takes to start out for Madrid each week, however he could not have made a greater case for a contract renewal, along with his present deal resulting from expire this summer time.

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.

Actually, La Actual might have come away with all three factors if centre-forward Alexander Sorloth had taken two presentable probabilities that fell his method, one in every half. His is a place that must be strengthened if the Basque group 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 group might deal with subpar performances from two of its finest, Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez. This was a night the place none of La Actual‘s ahead gamers actually shone — maybe their finest 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 saved them within the sport 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 sport and deservedly left the Bernabeu with a degree.

Finest 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 completion.

BEST: Alex Remiro, Actual Sociedad. Made two huge saves from Vinicius, one in every half.

WORST: Mikel Oyarzabal, Actual Sociedad. Nonetheless feeling his method again from a long-term damage, he had a really quiet evening.

WORST: Brais Mendez, Actual Sociedad. The largest 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 great sport, very intense. We had the higher probabilities and we did not take them, the draw is a disgrace. … Remiro and La Actual are having an ideal season. We did a great job however [the draw] leaves us with a foul style. … When you might have clear probabilities and also you miss them … It is a lengthy season, we now have to maintain going.”

Remiro: “[Manager] Imanol [Alguacil] will get one of the best out of us. It is not coincidence. … He is aware of tips on how to get it proper.”

Key stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Info analysis)

– Actual Madrid had been the final group 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 live on ESPN+).

Actual Sociedad: La Actual will get an additional few days’ relaxation, internet hosting Real Valladolid on Sunday in league play (12:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+)