San Sebastian: Real Madrid opened a healthy eight-point gap at La Liga summit with a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian on Saturday.Manager Carlo Ancelotti brought Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo back to the starting XI from their win over Athletic Bilbao a couple of days ago.
Though Karim Benzema, who have been in a rich vein of form this season for club and country left the field substituted 17 minutes in for a hamstring pull, the visitors were in complete control of the game. though hosts were inches close to the lead seconds from the half-time whistle after a quick counter-attack saw Adnan Januzajs’ one-two with Alexander Isak saw the latter go wide from the near post.
The Los Blancos had their chance as well in the first-half as Rodrygo’s speculative attempt from an acute angle put Alex Remiro to work but the visitors didn’t have to wait after the break as Vinicius Junior struck his 10th goal of the season driving the home side’s defence crazy with his boldness and audacity.
Luka Jovic, who replaced the injured Benzema, enjoyed his best game as a Real Madrid player assisting Vinicius for the first goal while putting icing on the cake later with a superb diving header as Real Madrid remain atop of La Liga.
However, their arch Rivals Barcelona didn’t have the best of result after suffering shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis at home.Xavi Hernandez tasted the dust for the first in his new role for the Blaugranas after his decision to rest three of his most important players – Gerard Pique, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele backfired. The hosts failed to create opening although enjoyed much of the time on the ball especially in the second half where they should have finished a off the chances they created.
Betis chalked out the plan very wise ad they look good whenever they on the counters and Juanmi, who earlier had a goal disallowed by VAR for a close offside call, haunted the hosts as he struck past goal-keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after fine build-up play by Sergio Canales and this one did count for his side to earn full points.
