Granada welcomed Real Sociedad on Saturday having won just one league match on their own turf this season.
Both sides had periods of control in the opening half of football, but it remained 0-0 at the break in a tight 45 minutes of action.
Sociedad were the better side for large periods of the second half, but neither side could make the breakthrough with Granada's winless run continuing.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our second La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from Granada as they welcome an improving Sociedad outfit to the Nuevo Los Carmenes. The home side have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, but Sociedad have won two and have also remained unbeaten in that period.
Defeats to Atletico Madrid and Real Valladolid towards the end of November were followed by four points from their next two games for Granada, but their 4-0 thumping away to Malaga last time out has moved them back into the relegation zone ahead of the winter break.
Sociedad, however, have enjoyed wins over Rayo Vallecano and Valencia in recent weeks, while they held an impressive Getafe outfit to a 1-1 draw last weekend. There is no doubt that they are one of the improving sides in Spain’s top division.
Teams:
Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Mainz, Siqueira, Lopez; Brahimi, Benitez, Rico, Iriney; Torje, Ighalo
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Diez, M Martinez, I Martinez, De la Bella; Illarramendi, Prieto, Zurutuza, Griezmann; Vela, Ifran
Here we go then. The players have taken part in the pre-match handshakes and the flags have been exchanged between the two captains. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Granada have struggled for form in recent weeks, but I am backing them to pick up a point this evening. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the action. Granada get us underway...
The ball has spent more time in the air than it has on the ground in the opening couple of minutes to this match. You just get the feeling that the wide positions will be vital tonight. Sociedad are unbeaten in their last five league games and have an array of attacking talent on display.
Neither team has really settled in the opening stages thus far with both sides struggling to keep hold of possession in midfield for any extended period of time. Granada have looked to get rid of the ball at each opportunity, while Sociedad have looked for the physical presence of Ifran. Interesting tactical battle at the moment.
First real sign of attacking intent for Sociedad as Carlos Vela drives into the Granada half before finding Antoine Griezmann, but the Frenchman cannot sort his feet out and Mainz is on hand to clear the danger. But there are a few signs that the away side are starting to gain a foot hold.
It's bright work from the home side this time as Ighalo collects possession before combining with Gabriel Torje, but the former is just crowded out by Inigo Martinez at the vital moment. The striker comes close once more as he fires an effort from outside the penalty area, but Bravo gets down to make the save.
Granada are without question the better side at the moment with Mikel Rico and Dani Benitez both having an influence in wide positions. It's Rico this time who fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Benitez cannot make proper contact and the ball moves wide of the post.
Nothing much from Sociedad in the past few minutes with Vela ad Griezmann struggling to get hold of possession. The pressure continues from Granada but you just get the feeling that they have to score during this period or they will be punished in the latter stages of the match. The quality of their football has been impressive thus far.
First sight of goal for the away side as Xabi Prieto makes a clever run behind the Granada defence, but his effort is slightly tame and Roberto watches it move wide of his post. The home supporters are in full voice at the moment but they desperately need that opening goal. Sociedad are so dangerous in attack and you have to think that they will score goals.
Half-chance for Sociedad once more as Griezmann searches out the run of Prieto, the midfielder collects and finds Vela on the edge of the penalty area, but it is an air-shot from the former Arsenal striker and the danger is cleared. Much more of an open match at the moment with Sociedad beginning to influence proceedings.
Slightly clumsy period of the match for the home side as they begin to give away a host of free kicks in their own half. The latest comes from Lopez as the defender fells Vela on the edge of the box. However, the set piece from Illarramendi is cleared by Allan Nyom.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match for the home side as Benitez fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Ighalo somehow fires over the crossbar from close range. That really should have been the opening goal of the evening. It is such an enthralling match with 20 minutes on the clock. It has flown by thus far.
A high cross from Carlos Martinez threatens to cause problems in the Granada penalty area, but Nyom is calm and plays his way out from the back. Granada are playing like the away side at the moment as they attack on the break, with Sociedad certainly playing the better football.
The match continues to be incredibly stretched with possession going from one end of the pitch to the other within seconds. Both teams have some serious pace on display this evening and each hs tried to exploit it. But it has almost cancelled the other side out. You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could be crucial.
It is now over 400 minutes of football since Granada scored their last goal. That is a quite incredible statistic. Not one they would welcome mind. There have been signs that they are capable of ending that record this evening, but Sociedad continue to look the more threatening as Ifran fires wide from outside the box.
It's extremely ambitious from De la Bella as the left-back strikes an effort from some 50 yards, but it moves over the crossbar. His teammates give him a few glances and so they should. It was a complete waste of possession. Still 0-0 as we approach the 30-minute mark in the match.
Granada are really struggling for invention at the moment with Torje and Benitez - their two best players in my opinion - struggling to get hold of the possession. They do force a corner as Carlos Martinez heads behind, but the delivery from Iriney is poor and the danger is cleared.
End-to-end football at the moment with Vela crossing into the Granada penalty area, before the home side launch a counter attack in the shape of Rico. But neither really threatened the opposing goalkeeper. Aside from a couple of half-chances there has not been any real opportunities since the early stages of the evening.
Again it's good work from Sociedad as Vela combines with Zurutuza before firing a pass towards Carlos Martinez, but the defender just cannot collect and Roberto clears the danger. Slightly bitty period to the match at the moment with neither side able to put a passing sequence together.
Another half-chance for Sociedad as Vela finds Ifran in the penalty area, but the striker's header is straight at Roberto when he perhaps should have done better. Granada launch a counter attack down the other end, but Benitez's effort is straight into the hands of Bravo.
Again it's good work from Ifran as the experienced striker collects possession inside the Granada penalty area before feeding Vela on the edge of the box, but the Mexican just cannot sort out his feet in time and Benitez gets back to make a fine challenge. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Granada continue to defend their penalty area, but they are coming under an increasing amount of pressure. This time it's good work from Prieto as he fires a pass towards Ifran, but the striker just cannot collect and Inigo Lopez clears the danger for a corner, which is wasted.
Slightly better from the home side in the past couple of moments with Nyom making the most of the space down the right, but his delivery has been poor thus far and Martinez is on hand to clear the danger. Vela breaks down the other end, but he is chopped down by Nyom, who picks up a yellow card for his troubles.
Granada have been much improved in the last 10 minutes or so, but still no real sign that they are ready to end their long barren spell in front of goal. Meanwhile, Carlos Martinez becomes the second player to go into the book as he chops Benitez down outside the box. Not the best of challenges from the defender.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half. Granada come close once more as Benitez whips a high cross into the penalty area, but Ighalo cannot make contact and the danger is cleared. Not long remaining.
Granada 0-0 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. Both sides enter the break level at 0-0 following a tight opening half of football in Granada. The home side started the match the stronger, but Sociedad certainly gained a foot hold in the latter stages.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Sociedad have shaded the possession with 53%, while they have also managed one more attempt (5) than their opponents. But in truth, most of the opportunities have been half-chances with clear goal attempts at a premium.
If you were a betting man then you would have to back Sociedad in the second period. We haven't seen much from Griezmann, but Vela and Ifran have looked dangerous and you have to think that the chances will come in the second period. Granada have boasted a threat, but their finishing ability has been lacking.
Looking ahead to the second period. It would be a surprise if either team made a change at the interval, but Youssef El Arabi is the obvious choice to be introduced for Granada. Meanwhile, Chori Castro would have been disappointed not to have started for Sociedad and would more than likely be their first port of call.
Here we go then. Sociedad get us underway in the second period. Granada have won just one league game at home this season and therefore there is much on offer in the second 45 minutes. I am backing my pre-match prediction of a draw, but if either side is to win it I would have to say Sociedad.
Decent start to the second period from Granada as Torje collects possession on the right before combining with Iriney, but his shot is just wide of the post. Sociedad advance immediately down the other end in the shape of Vela, but the Mexican is just crowded out in the area and the danger is cleared.
Neither side has really settled in the second period thus far with both teams exchanging spells of possession. Meanwhile, a host of fouls from either side has just slowed the tempo somewhat. Granada continue to attempt to flood forward in numbers, but the final pass continues to elude them.
Half-chance for Sociedad this time as Vela fires a low cross into the box towards Griezmann, but Inigo Lopez just beats the Frenchman to the ball and manages to clear the danger. The home side launch a counter attack down the other end, but Benitez's cross is poor and the danger is cleared.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few moments. Both sides are enjoying possession of the ball, but Granada in particular are lacking confidence in the final third. Benitez continues to have an influence in the wide area, but his crossing has failed to find the target thus far.
The home supporters make their voices known in a desperate attempt to force their side into the lead. But the opening goal almost comes at the other end as Griezmann drives into the Granada penalty area, but he fires is straight across the box and out for a throw. The Frenchman has certainly had an off-evening thus far.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Torje finds himself unmarked in the penalty area, but Martinez is on hand to make a fine diving challenge. It is getting to that stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about making a change. The game does need it. It has gone slightly sour in the second period.
I think Vela has spent more time on the ground than on his feet in this half, but not his own doing. Granada have targeted the Mexican as the dangerman and he has been chopped down at every opportunity. Slightly untidy period to the match with both sides giving away fouls in the opposing half.
Prieto becomes the latest player to talk his way into the book as he challenges Rico in the centre circle. He lets his frustration known and the referee responds. Meanwhile, the first change of the match is made by the home side as Brahimi is replaced by Youssef El-Arabi. Positive change for Granada. Will it pay off? Little under 30 minutes remaining.
Good pressure from Zaragoza in the past few moments, but once more their final pass has let them down. This time it's good work from Prieto as he finds Zurutuza in a wide area, but the midfielder's cross is poor and drifts straight out for a goal kick. At the moment this has 0-0 written all over it.
Granada advance down the other end with Iriney and Benitez combing in and around the Sociedad box, but the ball goes out for a throw and eventually Martinez thumps clear. Meanwhile, another free kick is given as Griezmann is chopped down by Rico. It has been that type of match in the second period.
Just a reminder that Granada have taken just one point from their last four league matches and have won just once at home all season. There is little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this match and you just get the feeling that they have to go for the win. In sitting back and inviting the pressure it would go against them.
It's good work from Vela outside the Granada penalty area as the Mexican bobs and weaves before finding Ifran on the edge of the box, but the striker's disappointing evening continues as he fails to control and Inigo Lopez clears. Meanwhile, another change for Granada as Torje is replaced by Jaime Romero.
Another half-chance comes to Sociedad as Ifran meets a high ball on the edge of the penalty area, but his effort is blocked by Inigo Lopez. Meanwhile, the away side make their first change of the evening as Ruben Pardo is replaced by Zurutuza.
Right, we have little over 15 minutes of football remaining and the score remains 0-0. Neither side has really created too many opportunities in this second period, but you just get the feeling that chance will come late on. Meanwhile, Granada are forced into their third change as the injured Siqueira is replaced by Brayan Angulo.
Half-chance for the home side as Ighalo drives into the Sociedad box, but Martinez gets back to make a fine challenge. Meanwhile, the away side make their second change of the match as Griezmann is replaced by Chori Castro. The Frenchman has bene disappointing this evening.
CHANCE! As clear an opening as we have had in the second period as Illarramendi strikes an effort from outside the box, but he fires over the crossbar when he might have done better. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and neither side has managed to open their tally.
The period of play in the last couple of minutes has pretty much summed up this match. A free kick is given for a foul in the penalty area before Vela is chopped down by Rico on the run. That has been the usual pattern of this tight affair. But there is a goal in this game if either side wants it. I really believe that.
Sociedad make their final change of the match as Ifran is replaced by Imanol Agirretxe. It must be said that Ruben Pardo has been sensational since coming onto the pitch for the away side. He has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent months and it is easy to see why.
CHANCE! OH MY WORD. Best opportunity of the match by a country mile as Benitez finds Ighalo in the penalty area, but the striker's effort is saved by Bravo. The rebound almost came to Benitez, but he couldn't collect. That was the chance to win the game right there.
If Granada do not score in the next five or so minutes then it will be the fifth match in a row they have failed to find the back of the net. That is simply not good enough for this level of football, but there is still time. Granada continue to push forward as Sociedad shape up and absorb the danger.
Decent pressure from Zaragoza in the latter stages with Pardo firing a searching cross into the penalty area, but the danger is cleared. Castro is on hand to collect, but again the door is slammed shut by the Granada defence. Little over two minutes remaining.
Vela picks up a yellow card in the latter stages for a wild challenge on Ingio Lopez. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90. If there is to be a winner then it simply has to come now.
The home support continue to get behind their players as Granada force a couple of corners in quick succession, but once more the delivery is poor and the danger is cleared. You would probably say that a point apiece is just about correct in this match. Little over 30 seconds remaining.
Granada 0-0 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. Granada's winless five-game run continues as they draw 0-0 with Real Sociedad. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Sevilla vs. Malaga. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
