Newcomer Guler fires Madrid to victory at Sociedad
TEENAGER Arda Guler scored on his first league start to move Real Madrid within four points of winning their 36th La Liga title with a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad.
The Turkish 19-year-old has missed much of his debut season with injury but is making up for lost time with his second goal in three games as his side extended their lead at the top to 14 points.
It means Los Blancos need a maximum of a win and draw from their last five matches to guarantee another league title irrespective of what secondplaced Barcelona can manage.
With such a comfortable cushion manager Carlo Ancelotti’s thoughts had already turned to Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich in Germany before kick-off.
He made nine changes from the El Clasico win - Jude Bellingham one of a number of key players rested - and that handed Guler his opportunity after six successive appearances off the bench.
And the youngster seized his chance with a well-taken goal in what was the visitors’ best move of a match in which they were often second-best to the hosts.
Their first attempt in the 29th minute resulted in the breakthrough and it was goal of brilliant simplicity but dripping in quality.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s crossfield diagonal dropped into the path of right-back Dani Carvajal and his firsttime volleyed cross picked out Guler, who confidently swept home at the far post.
It was a harsh lesson on La Real, who had threatened through Take Kubo, who forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a low save down by his left-hand post, and Benat Turrientes with a rising drive just over.
Real Madrid’s confidence bordered on the casual at times and they were almost punished in the 32nd-minute when Ander Barrenetxea robbed Tchouameni trying to run the ball out of defence just outside his own penalty area.
Oyarzabal’s initial shot was blocked but Kubo followed up to score only for the referee to overturn the goal after being advised to view the pitchside monitor by VAR for a foul on the France midfielder.
Tchouameni’s next involvement was more positive with Alex Remiro parrying his low shot just before half-time.
Real Sociedad continued to press but their best spell of the second half did not come until the final 10 minutes when Oyarzabal’s dinked shot was deflected wide and substitute Sheraldo Becker’s dipping shot dropped just over.