La Real pile pressure on Solari with first away win since 2004

Real Madrid 0-2 Real Sociedad: match report

Real Madrid have tried to win twice now in 2019 and failed on both of those occasions. With the memory of Santi Cazorla's late equaliser still lingering in their minds, Real Sociedad came to the Santiago Bernabéu and inflicted further damage to a side lacking confidence and a title challenge that was over before it really began.

A third minute penalty by Willian Jose was followed up by an 83rd minute Ruben Pardo header to seal the deal on Sunday evening in the capital, which could leave Real Madrid as much as 10 points behind Barcelona should their rivals win in Getafe on Sunday night.

The game was just a couple of minutes old when Mikel Merino, who is slowly working his way back into the side, strode forward and forced Casemiro into a rash challenge inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot before the midfielder had hit the ground after contact was made and within a minute, Thibaut Courtois was picking the ball out of the back of the net. Willian Jose, who made one solitary appearance for los Blancos' first team when he was younger, hit the roof of the net with his strike to give the visiting side a surprise lead.

Real Madrid created more chances for the remainder of the half but Benzema blazed wide and Vinicius' clipped effort was saved by Rulli to ensure Imanol Alguacil went in at half-time during his first game in charge with the lead.

Sergio Ramos had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half too when a cross landed at the back post and clumsy former teammate Asier Illarramendi fell into his back causing him to fall forward. He had a point but it was worse than it looked and VAR seemed to agree because they didn't need another look.

0-1 it was to the txuri urdin and they had everything to lose in the second half.

The game did open up but Real Madrid were failing to finish the chances they made and were relying too heavily on 18-year-old Vinicius for inspiration. He assumed the task but as the sole creater and finisher on his side, his mission was doomed to failure.

That vague feeling of hope started to metastasise on 61 minutes for the visitors when Lucas Vazquez was booked for the second time for a foul on Mikel Merino. Real Madrid, who are already struggling with keeping up with their opponents, were down to 10 men for a half an hour, and Sociedad's chances started to stack up.

Vinicius wanted a penalty when he sprinted clear and darted right before being hauled down by Geronimo Rulli but replays showed the keeper got the top of his glove on the ball even if the Real Madrid manager said it was a "textbook penalty" after the game.

Real Madrid continued to threaten but Ruben Pardo, on for the impressive Mikel Merino late on, headed home a Willian Jose cross after the Brazilian had blazed wide minutes earlier, which would have put the game to bed.

Santiago Solari said "we did everything we could but the ball just wouldn't go in" and but once Real Madrid went behind, they looked skittish in front of goal and further back. The sending off certainly didn't help but Real Madrid and Solari have plenty to figure out with Real Betis and Sevilla on the horizon.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad live online: updates and commentary

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad live online: preview

Real Madrid have already kicked off their 2019 with a draw when they travelled to play Villarreal last Thursday. Real Sociedad are playing their first game of the new year and will play their first game under new manager Imanol Alguacil after they sacked Asier Garitano after just six months over the Christmas break. It's 5th versus 15th on Sunday evening in the capital with neither sides showing their best sides in recent weeks.

Santiago Solari's comment about "not underestimating draws against Villarreal" went down like a lead balloon at his press conference before the game. He is without Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio for Real Sociedad's visit and while he has Marcelo and other experienced heads, the Brazilian has been under a lot of criticism recently for his performances. Solari defended the player at his presser on Saturday and said he is very important but he will need to put in a 90 minute shift on Sunday to stave of further criticism.

Real Sociedad took the unusual decision to sack Asier Garitano the day after Christmas but they probably figured they needed to make a change to start the new year if they were not fully committed to their coach. The 47-year-old, Alguacil, played for La Real for years and coached at the club after he hung up his boots so it's a matter of picking a man who knows the club and who can get them away from the relegation zone. A point, or more, against a faltering Madrid side would help in convincing the players and the fans that he is the right man for the job. As far as injuries and absentees goes, Theo Hernandez can not play because of the fear clause in his loan deal and the new manager has called up Aihen Muñoz to the first team in his place.