It wasn’t the best of starts for defending champion Real Madrid, which needed a good performance by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to salvage a 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad in La Liga opener.
With a squad mostly unchanged from last season, Madrid looked out of rhythm on Sunday and couldn’t get more than a point in a lackluster match at the Reale Arena in the Basque Country.
Zinedine Zidane’s team struggled in attack and saw Sociedad create some of the most dangerous chances, including one by forward Alexander Isak just before halftime that forced Courtois to make a superb save with his legs as he charged out from the goal. “We were well organised,” Courtois said.
“We didn’t allow them many opportunities other than the save I made and another shot that went wide. The problem is that we couldn’t score, but that will come with time.”
David Silva made his La Liga return after a decade with Manchester City as he took the place of Alexander Isak for the final 25 minutes.