Real Madrid made a stuttering start to their La Liga title defence on Sunday, drawing 0-0 at Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Martin Odegaard playing in a number ten role against the club he impressed for on loan last season. It was the Norwegian’s first appearance for Real since he made a half an hour cameo against Getafe back in 2015.
The visitors dominated possession in the first half but failed to convert this into meaningful chances. Zinedine Zidane’s side had a strong appeal for handball in the box turned down just before the break, but other than that they did not come close to scoring.
It would be the hosts who had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes with Alexander Isak’s shot being smothered by Thibaut Courtois on the stroke of half time.
The second period saw Real create more opportunities with Dani Carvajal and Karim Benzema both forcing excellent saves out of home goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro.
Zidane tried to shake things up by introducing first team debutants Marvin and Alejandro Arribas, as well as Fede Valverde and Casemiro from the bench, but it just wasn’t to be.
The game finished goalless and Real will now look to get back to winning ways against Real Betis next Saturday.