Real Madrid claims a hard fought win in San Sebastian

Real Sociedad hit the woodwork on three occasions before Madrid’s second-half penalty kicks earned them the win at the Reale Arena.

The first half went goalless, although both teams had numerous chances to break the deadlock. The game became more end-to-end style of play with Real Sociedad coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, finding the woodwork at the end of their great runs. They will be ruing the lost opportunities as they looked the more dangerous side in the first half of the match.

“It was a tough game, probably we didn’t deserve to win because Real Sociedad played very well… but we bore it out, we suffered, we were committed in the tough moments of the game and I value that a lot,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Madrid was playing without injured midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham and decided to bench Rodrygo for Brahim Diaz.

Tactics Zone

Real Sociedad started with a 4-5-1 formation with Madrid kicking off in a more in-vogue 4-2-3-1 formation.

Sociedad’s intent to high-press Madrid and not give them leeway to play their gameplan worked well in the first half. The San Sebastian-based team created a lot of dangerous openings for themselves which they failed to convert.

Ancelotti had to substitute Rodrygo early in the 25th minute after Diaz suffered an injury. Madrid also had their opportunities to score, the champions came close through Antonio Rudiger’s header, clawed out by Remiro, and an Mbappe effort across the face of the goal. But they had to wait for the two penalties to come their way. Vinicius and Mbappe scored them in quick succession. Madrid comfortably saw the remaining time of play by holding on to possession. The Spanish champions moved within a point of leaders Barcelona with this victory.

Real Madrid will now look ahead to the return of Champions League action on Tuesday against Stuttgart.

 

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