Villarreal draw with Real Sociedad in a game that finished goalless
Villarreal got a well-earned point against Real Sociedad in a game that finished goalless and without any clear cut chances at El Madrigal. The Submarine tried to break the deadlock in every way they could but were met by the opposition’s solid defence and goalkeeper Rulli every time, who kept the Yellows at bay all game.
It was the San Sebastian side that had the first chance of the game. In the 14th minute, Elustondo got up for a header from a corner kick and his effort brushed the post. The Submarine reacted immediately with a great play that saw Bakambu set up his strike partner brilliantly, then Soldado, with an acrobatic strike, had his shot saved by Rulli.
The Yellows got better as the game went on. Bruno Soriano was the next to come close to opening the scoring as his free kick from the edge of the box was only centimetres away from crashing in to the net, instead it bounced back off the cross bar. A fantastic strike and narrow miss for the Yellows.
Real Sociedad were waiting for their moment and came close to going in front when Zurutuza went round his defender only to have his shot saved by an agile Asenjo, who was alert enough to slide at the San Sebastian player’s feet.
At the start of the second half Yellow hearts stopped all around the ground. Carlos Vela was through one on one with Areola and attempted to lob him with a cheeky chip, but the Villarreal goalkeeper was equal to it and made a fantastic save.
The second half passed with no clear opportunities for either team. The clearest goalscoring opportunity for the Yellows fell to Bakambu, but the French-Congolese striker’s effort was kept out by Rulli.
This result means the Submarine remain in fourth place in the table with 61 points from 35 league games. There are only three games to go and Villarreal must keep fighting to guarantee their UEFA Champions League spot for next season.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly (Adrián Marín, m. 64), Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina; Denis Suárez, Pina (Jonathan dos Santos, m. 57), Bruno, Samu Castillejo; Bakambu and Soldado (Adrián, m. 67).
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Zaldúa, Elustondo, Íñigo, Yuri; Markel Bergara, Diego Reyes (Xabi Prieto, m. 81), Illarra; Oyarzabal (Bautista, m. 92), Zurutuza and Carlos Vela (Héctor Hernández, m. 89).
Referee: Fernández Borbalán (Andalusia, Spain). Cautioned: Pina, Mario, Jonathan dos Santos and Adrián for Villarreal; Vela for Real Sociedad.
Stadium: El Madrigal.
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