Rusty Madrid Open La Liga Account With Anoeta Stalemate

Forum 3 years ago

Rusty Madrid Open La Liga Account With Anoeta Stalemate

Reigning La Liga champions opened their 2020-21 La Liga account with a 0-0 draw away to Real Sociedad.

Madrid were back in competitive action 44 days after they were eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Manchester City. The signs of rust were there.

Zidane was hoping to get the season off to a perfect start but from the off, it was obvious that they still needed time to match the heights of the side that recorded 10 La Liga wins in a row in the final stretch of last season.

Last season’s top scorer, Karim Benzema, was wasteful with the few chances he had, with his first one straight at the keeper in the 14th minute. There were few noteworthy events before the 43rd minute with Vinicius, Benzema, and Le Normand all having efforts wide.

The best chance of the match came just before half-time when Isak forced a good save from Courtois’ foot, with the ex-Dortmund striker eventually firing wide when the ball came back to him.

The hosts threatened further after the break when Barrenetxea should have done better with his side-footed volley, instead firing past the Madrid goal and wide.

Benzema, Carvajal, and Kroos all tested the keeper but none were enough to trouble Remiro and the match ended goalless.

The draw takes Real Sociedad on to two points after their draw away to Valladolid last weekend; Madrid have the sole point and face a tricky match away to Real Betis next Saturday.