Football, without the goal prize in a great match at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid’s football, in one of its best, if not the best, games of the season, had no prize against a notable Real Sociedad, which was saved from defeat at the Bernabéu thanks to Remiro and managed to block the path of the champion towards leadership. The duel between the second and third ranked in the League, except for the fact that there were no goals, exceeded expectations in a great match full of emotion and alternatives, excellent play by the Whites and their ability to resist and a lot of danger from the San Sebastian counter-attack. although also when he dominated in the final stretch.

Real Madrid only lacked the goal in a high-altitude clash in which Carlo Ancelotti’s team set a tremendous pace from the initial whistle and Imanol Alguacil’s, despite his many casualties, stood up with greatness, supported by his goalkeeper and daring until the last minute after suffering so much from the onslaught of the locals. Madrid came to have up to 20 shots, but none found a goal luckily for Real, who knew how to wait for their moment to cause the whites to fall in their fight for the title.

The first part of Madrid was fantastic, relaunched by Rodrygo and Vinicius, who, with Benzema off, put the magic at the Bernabéu against a Real exhausted in that period before the game and the energy of the champion. The San Sebastian team did give a couple of scares in that period, but Madrid was overwhelming, with precision, speed and overflow up front that caused Real’s defense to multiply and that Remiro already became a savior on two occasions before of the rest, the last of them in a one-on-one against Vinicius, dizzying but without aim.

The ambition, verticality and good football of Real Madrid in an exquisite first half did not reach the goal because the defending champion lacked punch despite trying so hard. With their clarity in the midfield, with Kroos as a midfielder and Valverde and Ceballos in progress, and the mobility of their attackers, Madrid did not stop finding ways thanks to the imbalance of the spectacular Vinicius and Rodrygo, but there was no forcefulness.

With his usual overflow and speed, Vinicius dribbled and entered from the left and right, and the author of the Maradonian goal in the cup derby was excellent not only on the wing, but especially on the inside, where he combined and was stellar dribbling and at first touch. La Real, however, came out unscathed by Remiro in that first part in which Imanol’s team had to withdraw more than necessary, and could not play as they like best, because the one who wanted to command was Madrid, whose mobility up front was a nightmare for the blue and white.

A give and take

The scenario did not change at the beginning of the second half, with Madrid once again launching for the goal and Real devoted to the defense and trying to go on the counter. The arrivals of the whites did not stop following one another at the restart, with another couple of consecutive chances from Vinicius and Rodrygo. Remiro frustrated the former again, and this gave wings to Real, who from that moment on took a step forward and wanted to get the ball back, turning the duel into a beautiful give and take, with the game completely broken. Kubo, who had already warned of his intentions, also caused Courtois to establish himself as Madrid’s savior at game time.

Before Aritz’s forced withdrawal due to injury, Imanol had already moved the tree in search of the reaction of his team, already heavily punished by casualties, while Madrid barely accused those of their defense. Camavinga once again performed as an impromptu left-back, in defense and attack, and, in the midfield, Modric did not miss anything for 70 minutes, with the combinative and direct football of the madridistas without the Croatian’s compass. However, Real managed to overcome and, led by Kubo, began to scare the Bernabéu, who could not explain why Madrid had not opened the scoring as they were playing.

When the danger of Real’s counterattack was already evident, Vinicius’ nightmare Remiro reappeared in the 71st minute, who put a prodigious hand on another shot from the young Brazilian after once again leaving a couple of defenders. La Real was therefore still in the match and growing more and more, playing and trying to hit from set pieces as well. He also managed to cool Imanol’s team and calm the spirits of a white team that did not stop trying, already with Modric and Asensio on the field. However, the one that ended up most alive and most threatening was Real. A magnificent ode to football.