Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro made a string of fine saves to frustrate Real Madrid in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, leaving Barcelona five points clear at the top of La Liga.
After the Catalans beat Girona on Saturday, Madrid needed to win to stay three points behind their rivals in the title race, but Remiro ensured otherwise, keeping third-place La Real on the champions' tail.
Vinicius Junior had three good chances repelled by
Remiro among other Madrid openings, as Carlo Ancelotti's side sparkled but failed to
find the goal their performance deserved.
The draw continues a mixed start to 2023 for Real Madrid, slipping further behind Barcelona in the league and losing against them in the Spanish Super Cup final, but reaching the Copa del Rey semis on Thursday with an extra-time win over Atletico Madrid.
"It was one of the best games we've played this season," Ancelotti told reporters.
"It's true Barca are doing very well, but the season is very long, January is very complicated, but the team have progressed a lot in all areas, in defence, attack, physically.
"The players are starting to improve, the injured players (will return), so we are confident for the coming months, we can get stuck into it in the second half of the season."
Earlier Saul Niguez's cool finish made the difference for Atletico Madrid as they held on to fourth place with a narrow 1-0 win at Osasuna. Out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, and 13 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Champions League qualification is Atletico's key goal in the second half of the season.
The Rojiblancos were left fuming after their quarter-final cup elimination in midweek, unhappy with the refereeing, but had nothing to complain about as they snatched victory at El Sadar.
Atletico took the lead after 74 minutes against the run of play, through midfielder Saul, on as a substitute.
The Spaniard is no longer a key figure for Diego Simeone but took his chance, reaching Rodrigo De Paul's lobbed pass and finishing clinically.
Iago Aspas's goal helped Celta Vigo earn a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, while a 90th-minute strike by Canadian debutant Cyle Larin helped Real Valladolid beat Valencia 1-0, moving a point clear of the drop zone.
