Barcelona continue to set the pace at the LaLiga summit and Clasico rivals Real Madrid lost ground in the title race this weekend.
Real Madrid missed the chance to move back to within three points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona after being held to a goalless draw by unlikely title challengers Real Sociedad.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominated for the most part but were held to an empty net at the Santiago Bernabeu just three days after knocking out rivals Atletico Madrid in Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final.
Goalkeeper Alex Remiro shone with numerous fine stops amid a somewhat one-sided encounter as Madrid failed to break down the impressive resistance of Imanolo Alguacil’s side.
The stalemate left Los Blancos five points behind fierce rivals Barca, with third-placed La Real three adrift of Ancelotti’s men after Sunday’s clash.
Chances were plentiful amid a frantic and free-flowing opening between the two in-form sides.
The stretching Alexander Sorloth was unable to reach Aihen Munoz’s pinpoint cross from the left wing with a gaping goal, while Vinicius Junior and Asier Illarramendi were close at either end.
Toni Kroos’ fizzing drive was saved by Remiro and Dani Ceballos curled just wide as Madrid failed to find the reward they deserved for an enterprising first half.
Vinicius saw another low strike denied by Remir’s legs and Thibaut Courtois thwarted Takefusa Kubo’s pinpoint effort after the break.
Remiro stood tall to parry Vinicius as he latched onto a one-on-one, which proved crucial as La Real held on for a valuable point.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois (8); RB: Nacho Fernandez (7), CB: Eder Militao (8), CB: Antonio Rudiger (6), LB: Eduardo Camavinga (7); CM: Federico Valverde (8), CM: Toni Kroos (8), CM: Daniel Caballos (8); RF: Rodrygo (8), CF: Karim Benzema (7), LF: Vinicius Junior (8)
SUBS: Marco Asensio (6), Luka Modric (6)
