Comeback specialists Real Madrid extend perfect La Liga start

Real Madrid remain at the top of the La Liga standings with 15 points from five games by doing what they do best: coming from behind. The 'Merengues' extended their lead over Barcelona to two points by pulling off an incredible comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu against a Real Sociedad side that managed to put the 14-time Champions League winners on the ropes.

The 'Txuri-urdin' came out with all guns blazing in the first half and it paid off. The Basque side needed just five minutes to break the deadlock at the Santiago Bernabeu and stun a Real Madrid side that came out numb.

Former 'Los Blancos' player Takefusa Kubo received the ball on the edge of the box and found an unmarked Barrenetxea inside the area through a defence-splitting pass. The Spanish winger's close-range finish was saved by Kepa, but there was little the Chelsea loanee could do as Barrenetxea tapped in the rebound to put the visitors ahead.

Just five minutes later Kubo again silenced the Santiago Bernabeu crowd with a fierce effort to the long post that was beyond Kepa's reach, although to Real Madrid's luck the goal was disallowed as Oyarzabal, who was in an offside position, was in front of Arrizabalaga.

 

September 17, 2023

After this warning Ancelotti's team seemed to wake up, which led to several dangerous chances for the home side. Carvajal, in an incredible run down the right flank, once he got over the byline squared the ball to the penalty spot, where Joselu finished the move with the Spanish striker's goal denied by the woodwork.

Just a few minutes later, Caravajal again came close to proving key for the 14-time European champions when he was fed by an incredible ball from Bellingham, but this time it was not the woodwork but Real goalkeeper Remiro who denied the Madrid side the equaliser with a great save from the full-back's first-touch finish to the near post.

However, 'Los Merengues' finally got the equaliser they deserved when Fran Garcia found an unmarked Valverde on the edge of the box. As the Uruguayan midfielder proved last season, letting him shoot from that distance is a big risk that opposing teams should try to avoid, something Real Sociedad failed to do. The 'Pajarito' restored parity with a thumping shot that hit the post before going into the net with Remiro having little to do about it.

As we are used to from Real Madrid, a great victory is not a great one if there is no comeback. Just 10 minutes after scoring the equaliser, the 'Merengues' completed their second half comeback with a superb header from Joselu. Fran Garcia once again received the ball with space on the left flank and his pinpoint cross found a Joselu who missed once in the first half but wasn't going to miss twice. The Spanish striker rose highest to head home and put Ancelotti's side ahead.

 

September 17, 2023