Real toil in goalless draw at Sociedad

REAL MADRID began the defence of their Spanish title with a tepid 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad yesterday as Martin Odegaard made his first league start for the reigning champions against his former club.

Norwegian Odegaard, whose only other league appearance for Madrid came in May 2015, lasted 69 minutes before he was replaced by Casemiro.

“We didn’t get the win. I’m not happy about that, but I’m pleased to play with Real Madrid,” Odegaard told Movistar.

“It’s always a bit difficult at the start but it’s easier for me with all these incredible players I have around me.”

Zinedine Zidane has brushed off suggestions his Real Madrid side could lack freshness this season, with a very familiar XI starting this first game.

“It’s two points lost but we struggled to make chances, particularly in the second half. We had two or three in the first half,” said Zidane.

“We played a good game, especially defensively. We didn’t concede anything but we lacked a bit in attack, and above all, a goal.”

One of the best performers for Madrid was goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a fine save to deny Alexander Isak in the clearest chance of the match.

The veteran shot-stopper assured fans that the team’s attacking players would produce the goods that was sadly missing yesterday at the Reale Seguros Stadium.

”We can score goals, you see it in training and in the game against Getafe (in a pre-season friendly) at Valdebebas, but sometimes it doesn’t come off,” Courtois told Movistar.

Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil was satisfied with the draw but he was left wondering what could have been.

“We played against the champions, so the feeling is good and I think a point is good news,” Imanol said.

“The feeling is that we finished well and could have taken all three points.” – AFP/Agencies