Sports

Netminder Remiro shines for Real Sociedad holding Real Madrid to 0-0 result

Madrid, Jan 29 (EFE).- Sunday’s scoreless match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad proved that soccer can be beautiful, even without any goals being scored.

The two teams battled to a scoreless draw at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid before just over 58,000 fans, but those on hand were treated to a contest in which Vinicius Junior made two fruitless one-on-one faceoffs against Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro, along with several other fine saves by the netminder and firm resistance from the rest of the squad.

The result left league leader Barcelona – who had beaten Girona on Saturday – five points ahead of the capital squad with Real Sociedad in third place, trailing last year’s La Liga champions Real Madrid by three points.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men showed good form and a lot of grit, but Remiro was fabulous in the net for their visiting rivals, fending off three good chances by Vinicius and more by other teammembers.

In the first period, Madrid was able to create some danger, and the Brazilian duo of Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings kept Sociedad – which was still missing David Silva and Mikel Merino – on the alert.

Madrid dominated during both halves of play, but Imanol Alguacil’s men did mount some clear threats, the first coming after just four minutes when Aihen Munoz sent a great cross to Alexander Sorloth, who was unable to send it home.

Vinicius then sent a curving shot wide in minute 14 and just before the break Rodrygo sent the ball to Karim Benzema off his heel but Remiro was able to easily save that potential tally.

After the intermission, Vinicius fired another shot on goal, but once again the confident 27-year-old Remiro made a great save to keep the Madrid men off the board.

At the other end of the field, Real Madrid’s goaltender Thibaut Courtois really only saw things move his way an hour into the match, when Takefusa Kubo got free and swooped in dangerously from the right only to have the Belgian cancel the attempt.

Vinicius got another chance in minute 70, knocking a little lob toward the net after making a swift dash close in, but Remiro yet again denied the Madrid striker, this time on a fantastic save.

Late in the day, Ancelotti put in Luka Modrid and Marco Asensio for Ceballos and Fede Valverde to try and secure a win after a frustrating 77 minutes, but it was not to be.

Lineups:

Real Madrid: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Ruediger, Camavinga; Kroos, Ceballos (Modric, m.77), Fede Valverde (Marco Asensio, m.77); Rodrygo, Vinicius and Benzema.

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Elustondo (Olasagasti, m.66), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Ahien Muñoz; Zubimendi, Illarramendi, Brais Mendez (Robert Navarro, m.55), Kubo; Oyarzabal (Pablo Marin, m.55) and Sorloth (Carlos Fernandez, m.84).

EFE rm/bp

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