Real Madrid recorded a hard-fought victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. The club from San Sebastián took an early 0-1 lead, but thanks to goals from Federico Valverde and Joselu in the second half, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team managed to secure victory. It was the fifth win from the first five matches in LaLiga the Royal only leads in Spain; Barcelona follows in second place with thirteen points.
Ancelotti made two changes in midfield compared to the won match against Getafe (2-1). Eduardo Camavinga was replaced on the left side of the field by Toni Kroos, while Luka Modric gave up his place on the right side of midfield to Federico Valverde. Behind the striker duo Rodrygo-Joselu was deepest midfielder Jude Bellingham. Real Sociedad started the match very strongly and found the opening goal within five minutes of play.
0-1 REAL SOCIEDAD ?? The visitors take an early lead against Real Madrid via Barrenetxea ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RealMadridRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/bVpEcProcR
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) September 17, 2023
Kubo had excellent acceleration and then delivered a phenomenal through ball to Barrenetxea. The winger initially bumped into goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, but he still scored 0-1 from the rebound. After more than fifteen minutes of play, Real Madrid should have leveled. First, Dani Carvajal put the ball back to Joselu, who pinned the ball onto the crossbar. The right back was able to give another cross in the second chance and this time it reached Rodrygo, but shot narrowly wide with half a bicycle kick.
After half an hour of play, Kubo created a good chance to make it 0-2. After a nice dribble over the right flank, he cut into the sixteen-meter area. The Japanese turned the ball towards the far corner, but Kepa stretched out and saved in the bottom corner. The opening stages of the second half were just as entertaining as the first half as Real Madrid found the equalizer within a minute of the restart.
VALVERDE ?? Real Madrid draws level against Real Sociedad through the midfielder: 1-1 ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RealMadridRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/43NN3qqR6D
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) September 17, 2023
Fran García laid the ball on the edge of the penalty area for Valverde, who hit hard from the inside and hit the post: 1-1. Fifteen minutes after the equalizer, Real Madrid struck again. García provided a tailor-made cross for Joselu, who made it 2-1 with a hard header. Just before the end of regular time, Madrid had an excellent chance to make it 3-1, when substitute Brahim Díaz managed to reach Jude Bellingham in the five-meter area. The Englishman met goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro from close range.
REAL MADRID ON THE LEAD ?? Joselu heads the ball in after a nice cross from Fran García: 2-1 ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RealMadridRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/ONhbYRKMJr
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) September 17, 2023
| No. | Team | M | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 15 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 13 |
| 3 | Athletic Club | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| 4 | Girona | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| 5 | Valencia | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 6 | Rayo Vallecano | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 9 |
| 7 | Atlético Madrid | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | Cadiz | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 7 |
| 9 | Getafe | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 7 |
| 10 | Real Betis | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -5 | 7 |
| 11 | Real Sociedad | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 12 | Osasuna | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| 13 | Villarreal | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 6 |
| 14 | Alaves | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 6 |
| 15 | Real Mallorca | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 5 |
| 16 | Celta de Vigo | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 4 |
| 17 | Seville | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
| 18 | Granada | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 3 |
| 19 | Las Palmas | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| 20 | Almeria | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 1 |