Real Sociedad – Real Madrid: A Step Closer For Champions League Dreamers (2-0) 

Real Sociedad deservedly take the victory over an unfocused Real Madrid side at Anoeta. Immanol’s boys were comfortably the superior side for the majority of the match, and Carvajal’s controversial second half red card certainly didn’t help the visitors.
Tactical analysis and match report by Huu Trung.

Real Sociedad came into the first of a five-match sequence that would see them taking on all the big three of the league. Providing that the visitors were going to play Copa del Rey final in just four days, La Real hoped to capitalize on any rotations made by Carlo Ancelotti with a view to consolidating their Champions League spot.

Since losing the Basque derby on April 15th, Real Sociedad had picked up seven points from three very tough opponents, beating Rayo and Osasuna before drawing to a direct top-four rival - Real Betis - in the previous round. This put them in pole position to cement their first Champions League qualification since 2013-14, but the job is by no means done.

On the other side, Real Madrid were four days away from Copa del Rey final - a trophy that they had not got their hand on since 2014; and three days after that, the mighty Manchester City would visit the Bernabéu to seek revenge for last year’s elimination. With Barcelona eleven points clear at the top of the table, Carlo Ancelotti obviously knew that their hopes of defending the league title were effectively over. Therefore, it was expected that he would rest most of his key players for the upcoming big ties. Prior to the match, it was announced that Benzema would not travel with the team, joining Alaba, Modrić, Mendy (injured) and Vinícius, Camavinga . . .