Alaves 0-0 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad missed a chance to go top of La Liga tonight after failing to break down ten-man Alaves in a hard-fought match in the Basque.
La Real started the weekend top of the league and when Alaves midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia was sent off, with half an hour to play, they had a great chance to stay at the summit. But a determined Alaves defence and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Fernando Pachecho frustrated Sociedad and earned the hosts a point.
In the weekend’s other La Liga 2020 results Atletico Madrid’s victory over Real Valladolid knocked Sociedad off the top of the table and Diego Simeone’s side will take some stopping, on current form.
Highlights of the game
Alaves skipper and goalkeeper Pachecho was busy all night and called into action, in the third minute, when Alexander Isak met a cross from Martin Merquelanz and his effort from close range was destined for the bottom right corner, but Pachecho got down well to save.
The hosts have a speedy and dangerous attack and they started to take the game to their visitors. Ruben Duarte fed Joselu, and his shot flew just over the bar, and then Duarte himself fired an effort narrowly wide. Former Newcastle striker Joselu was a constant threat and he powered a header over the bar, but Sociedad weathered the storm and fought back. Mikel Merino fired a shot just too high, and then, after Ander Guevara found him in space, Merquelanz tested Pachecho again but the keeper made a comfortable save. As half time beckoned, Pachecho made a brilliant stop to keep out an Igor Zubeldia shot which was heading for the bottom right corner.
Alaves defender Victor Laguardia had the first effort of the second half but his header was blocked, but then it was all Sociedad. Isak fired a low angled shot towards the bottom right corner but Pachecho saved again, and then Portu missed one good chance from close range and then fired a second shot over the bar from a tight angle.
Sociedad’s Roberto Lopez had a shot blocked and then, on the hour, Alaves went down to ten men when Rodrigo Battaglia was sent off. Joselu was still on the hunt for a winner for the hosts while Sociedad threw men forward. La Real have struggled without David Silva in the side since he was sidelined with injury, and his appearance on the bench tonight was a sight their fans have been longing for. But when Imanol Alguacil made five late substitutions he left the former Manchester City man on the bench, and despite keeping the pressure on the visitors just didn’t have the guile to break down a resolute Alaves defence.
Key Statistics
The pre-match SBOTOP odds had the draw at odds of 3.45, but Sociedad will feel they should have collected all three points.
In an evenly matched first half La Real edged the shot count by four to three but had the only three shots on target. And that pattern continued in the second half, and by the end of the game they had registered 13 shots to five, and five to one on target.
The result means the hosts are unbeaten in six; and no wonder considering the fight they showed to keep hold of a point tonight, while Sociedad are now unbeaten in eight away from home, but if they are to keep pace with Atletico Madrid they need to turn draws into wins.
What’s next?
La Real has had a relatively gentle fixture list so far and a visit from 11th placed Eibar next weekend is another opportunity for points. But following that game they face Barcelona, which is a club with fantastic players but is in some turmoil. Head coach Ronald Koeman is under increasing pressure after the Blaugrana slumped to a shock defeat to newly-promoted Cadiz. The La Liga 2020 betting odds on Barca reclaiming the La Liga title are drifting by the week.
But the immediate future takes Sociedad to Napoli in the Europa League, and Imanol Alguacil’s side needs a result, currently in second place in Group F, two points behind Napoli and level on points with AZ Alkmaar.
Meanwhile, Alaves are away to rock bottom Huesca next week, before taking a trip to Rincon in the Copa del Rey.
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