Result: Real Sociedad 0-0 Real Madrid
Date: 20 September 2020
Venue: Reale Arena
Real Madrid were unable to secure maximum points in their LaLiga opener after being held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.
Madrid were without Eden Hazard, Isco and Marco Asensio, although Martin Odegaard got a start after he was recalled from loan at Sociedad. Meanwhile, former Manchester City midfielder David Silva started on the bench for the hosts.
Los Blancos endure a slow start to the game and were unable to carve out clear openings against a side that sat deep and looked to attack on the counter
Zinedine Zidane's charges were completely in control of the match but they had a penalty appeal ten minutes before the break after Sergio Ramos' volley inside the box hit the body of Aihen Munoz and cannoned off his arm but the referee waved play on.
Alexander Isak came very close to breaking the deadlock for Imanol Alguacil's troops just before half-time after going clear on the left side of the box but his curling shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at full stretch.
Ander Barrenetxea was unlucky not to put the hosts ahead just two minutes from the break with a first-time shot on the blind side that missed the far bottom corner by inches.
Madrid were finding chances, with the game opening up but they were not clinical as Zidane made a triple change for the final 20 minutes to refresh the team, bringing on Casemiro, Federico Valverde and Marvin for Modric and Rodrygo.
The game was there for the taking in the closing phase for either side but there was no real momentum for clear-cut chances as the sides settled for a share of the spoils in the end.
