Sunday's penultimate La Liga clash pitted Real Sociedad against Levante at San Sebastian.
Sociedad dominated proceedings in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
It was a similar story in the second half, with Sociedad missing a host of chances as Levante came away with a point.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from San Sebastian as Real Sociedad welcome Levante. Sociedad have lost their last two matches without scoring a goal, but that involved a trip to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and a visit to Barcelona for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Levante, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano last weekend. As it stands, they sit in 10th position in the table on 28 points. Four of their seven league wins this season have come on their travels, therefore they will take confidence into this particular fixture.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Levante have won three of the last five matches, with the further two fixtures ending in draws. As mentioned, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match last season, while a goalless draw occurred when Sociedad travelled to Levante earlier this season.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; C.Martinez, Ansotegi, Inigo, Angel; Markel, Pardo, Prieto; Castro, Agirretxe, Griezmann
LEVANTE: Navas; P.Lopez, Vyntra, Navarro, Juanfran; Ivanschitz, Diop, Simao, Nikos; Barral, Casadesus
So there we have it. No Carlos Vela in the Sociedad XI this evening, with Gonzalo Castro and Antoine Griezmann joining Agirretxe in the final third. Levante, meanwhile, pair Ivanschitz and Barral in attack. Right, the away side get the first period underway at the San Sebastian.
Bright start from the home side as Castro delivers a deep cross into the Levante box, but Vyntra is on hand to clear the danger. The resulting corner is delivered by Pardo and eventually falls for Griezmann, but the Frenchman is ruled offside at the vital moment.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening and the start has lived up to the expectations. Half-chance for Levante as Victor strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
Just a reminder that following this match we have live coverage of Sevilla against Barcelona - be sure to remain with us for that one. Levante continue their bright start as Karabelas delivers a low cross into the Sociedad box, but Bravo is on hand to collect. Still goalless with six minutes on the clock.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last few moments as a series of crosses into the box drift into the arms of Navas. Griezmann has the chance to deliver a free kick moments later, but Juanfran is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
Levante continue to force the issue in wide positions as Ivanschitz beats Carlos Martinez before floating one towards Barral, but Bravo comes to collect. Very little from Sociedad thus far as Castro delivers another cross wide of the post. Still goalless with 11 minutes on the clock.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. However, neither side has been able to threaten from a free kick. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be vital in this type of match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Griezmann finds Agirretxe inside the Levante box, but Navas is on hand to make a fine save. It falls for Griezmann, but Juanfran clears at the vital moment. Best moment of the match for Sociedad.
Sociedad continue to force the issue as Carlos Martinez breaks down the right before delivering a cross towards Castro, but Navas is on hand to collect once more. Not too much from Levante in the last few moments with Barral isolated in the final third.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Vyntra as the Greek defender dives into a late challenge with Griezmann, who has started to influence proceedings in the final third. Castro is the target from a Pardo through pass moments later, but Navas is out to collect.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Agirretxe latches onto a loose save from Navas, but the Levante stopper manages to claw clear at the vital moment. Opportunities are starting to fall for the hosts with 22 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for the away side as Victor meets a through pass from Barral, but the Spaniard cannot lift his effort over the head of Bravo, who has been a spectator thus far. Castro is down the other end moments later, but once more he fires high and wide of the crossbar.
Levante are forced into a change in the early stages as Nikos is forced off the field with Nagore entering. It appears that the defender has suffered a thigh injury. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Levante tight and compact in defensive areas.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Levante frustrating Sociedad in the final third. The away side do not always play the best football, but they have secured a number of positive results on their travels this season. One thing is for certain, they are a very tough nut to crack.
Levante's first corner of the match is whipped into the Sociedad box by Ivanschitz, but Jose Angel is on hand to clear at the near post. Sociedad break down the other end with Griezmann moments later, but Juanfran is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Possession football from Sociedad as they continue to pass and probe in the Levante half, but they are finding it difficult to threaten in the final third. Sociedad's frustration continues as Prieto is ruled offside after breaking past Griezmann. Still goalless with 33 minutes on the clock.
Levante entered this match unbeaten in their last four matches and they have taken that strong run of form into the first period this evening. Sociedad continue to have plenty of the ball, but the away side are compact in defensive areas. Pardo strikes one from outside the box for Sociedad, but his effort is high and wide.
Decent spell for Levante in the last couple of moments as Barral twice delivers dangerous crosses into the Sociedad box, but Victor cannot make contact under pressure from Inigo, before Angel clears the latter. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. Still we wait for the opening goal of the evening.
Just a reminder that following this match we have live coverage of Sevilla against Barcelona - be sure to remain with us for that one. Back to the San Sebastian, Sociedad continue to dominate the ball, but clear chances have been at a premium in the last few moments. We are in need of some inspiration.
Sociedad have another chance to deliver a dangerous free kick into the Levante box, but Juanfran is on hand to clear the danger. It falls for Angel outside the box, but his effort is wide of the target. Groans from the home supporters in the latter stages of the first period.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges. The latest free kick presents a shooting chance to Ivanschitz, but his effort is wide of the post.
CHANCES! Two chances in quick succession for Griezmann, but the Frenchman's first effort is palmed clear by Navas, before the Levante stopper makes a point-blank save. Sociedad have had chances there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Barral in the latter stages of the first period, but Bravo is down to deny the Levante forward at his near post. End-to-end football at San Sebastian.
HALF TIME: Sociedad 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Sociedad have utterly dominated proceedings in the first period, but Levante stopper Navas has once more been sensational. Is there a better goalkeeper in La Liga at the moment?
STATISTICS: Sociedad have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have had six attempts - four of which have been on target - to Levante's three. It has not been a particularly untidy half in terms of challenges, however, with just the one card awarded to Levante.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Seferovic, Vela and new signing Sergio Canales. Meanwhile, Levante have the likes of Diawara, El Zhar and Ruben Garcia in reserve. However, they have already been forced into one change with Nagore replacing Nikos.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Sevilla against Barcelona - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway. Will Sociedad be made to pay for missed opportunities?
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect both managers will consider alterations if the score remains level for the next 15 minutes or so. Bright start to the second half from Levante, with Victor, Simao and Diop all enjoying plenty of the ball in the Sociedad half of the field.
Sociedad continue to threaten with a series of crosses into the Levante box, but they have had no joy in the air thus far. Bright work from Castro gains his side a corner moments later, but the powerful Vyntra clears once more. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the early stages of the second 45 minutes.
If Sociedad are to finish in the top four this season then these are the type of games that they simply have to win. Levante continue to play their football in the Sociedad half, but have been unable to really force the issue thus far. Not too much of an atmosphere at the moment as the home supporters wait for their side to produce the goods.
Sociedad continue to deliver high balls into the Levante box, but it is a tactic that is not working at the moment. Levante break with Victor down the right moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Bravo. Not too much happening with 55 minutes on the clock. It is the type of match that could be decided by one goal.
Opportunity for Sociedad to threaten from a free kick as Juanfran brings Griezmann to the ground on the edge of the box. The referee is quickly on the scene and books the Levante skipper. However, the resulting set piece from Griezmann smashes straight into the wall. The attacker has the chance to deliver a cross moments later, but again the danger is cleared.
SAVE! Castro comes close to sending Sociedad into the lead as he strikes one from outside the box, but Navas is on hand to make a wonderful save at the vital moment. The home side are getting closer, but it just is not happening in front of goal.
Levante look to their bench for the first time this evening as Victor departs for Ruben Garcia. Still no movement on the Sociedad bench, but Vela would be the obvious option. Not too much from the away side in terms of an attacking threat, but the onus is not on them. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining.
It is not too difficult to see why teams have struggled to break down Levante this season. That said, Sociedad are making it easy with cross after cross cleared by the likes of Vyntra and David Navarro. Still no movement on the home side's bench, which is a surprise with little more than 25 minutes remaining at San Sebastian.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann meets a cross from Pardo, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The home side make their first change of the match moments later as Vela enters the field in place of Castro, who has arguably been his side's brightest player this evening. Still 0-0 with 66 minutes on the clock.
Vela has scored in each of Sociedad's last two home games against Levante and he has little more than 20 minutes to make that three in a row. The Mexican is immediately involved as he rounds Juanfran, but Vyntra is on hand to clear. I would be surprised if this match ended goalless, but time is starting to run out.
Half-chance for Levante as Barral strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Wouldn't it be just like football if Levante nicked a late winner having been under pressure for the entire match. Just a reminder that following this match Sevilla welcome the champions Barcelona.
CHANCE! Wonderful work from Vela as the Mexican drives to the edge of the Levante box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Almost the perfect introduction for the former Arsenal forward.
Levante make their second change of the match as Diawara enters the match in place of Barral, which is not too much of a surprise. A half-chance comes to Griezmann moments later, but his header is into the arms of Navas. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Sociedad have the ball in the back of the net as Vela converts a Griezmann cross from close range, but the Mexican had moved into an offside position. Moments later, Sociedad make their second and third change as Seferovic and Canales replace Bergara and Agirretxe.
It's bright work on the edge of the box from Seferovic as the Sociedad forward cuts inside two defenders before looking for the run of Griezmann, but Juanfran is across to clear. Seferovic is on the end of a cross from Prieto moments later, but his header is high of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Griezmann strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It has been that type of second half for Sociedad. However, you just get the feeling that there is a goal to come in the latter stages.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes as Levante continue to clear their lines. The away side threaten to break with Garcia, but his cross is blocked by Carlos Martinez. Moments later, Diawara strays offside in the Sociedad box.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Griezmann and Vela continue to look the most likely for the home side, but both have been frustrated in the Levante box thus far. Little over three minutes remaining.
Half-chance for Levante as Simao's header from a corner falls to Diawara inside the Sociedad box, but Inigo is across to clear at the vital moment. Down the other end, Ivanschitz is booked for a poor challenge on Vela outside the Levante box.
Sociedad continue to threaten with two free kicks in quick succession, but the first is bundled clear by Navas - who receives a period of treatment - before Pardo fires straight into the wall. Levante survive once more.
We are into the third of four additional minutes and it is one-way traffic. Sociedad continue to force the issue, but Levante have been impressive defensively this evening. Time is running out at San Sebastian.
FULL TIME: Sociedad 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the two sides sharing the points in a goalless draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Sevilla against Barcelona. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
