Osasuna travelled to Real Sociedad on Friday looking for the three points that would have moved them out of the La Liga relegation zone.
Both sides had chances in a frantic opening 45 minutes of football, but a mixture of bad finishing and goalkeeping heroics left the scores level at the break.
The second period also brought openings for both sides and despite late Sociedad pressure, the points were shared in a 0-0 draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! Week 13 in La Liga gets underway as Sociedad welcome a struggling Osasuna outfit. Victory for the home side could move them as high as fifth, while Osasuna will move out of the bottom three with the three points.
Teams:
Real Sociedad: Bravo; C Martinez, Gonzalez, I Martinez, De la Bella; Illarramendi, Prieto, Zurutuza, Griezmann; Vela, Ifran
Osasuna: Fernandez; Flano, Arribas, Oier, Damia; Armenteros, Sisi, Cejudo, Nano; Loe, Sola
Osasuna have enjoyed the best of the recent matches between the two sides, however. They have picked up three wins from the last five meetings against Sociedad, with just a singular loss in that period.
It has been a largely inconsistent campaign for Sociedad in their opening 12 league matches. A period of win-loss was ended when they went four league games without a win from early October to early November, but they have won their last two in the league.
Those wins came away to Champions League side Malaga, while they recorded an impressive 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday. That match saw Carlos Vela produce his best performance of the season and they will hope for similar inspiration this evening.
Osasuna, meanwhile, have managed just three wins in the league thus far. They did not pick up a single point until mid-September, and their first three points didn't come until the end of the same month.
That said they are unbeaten in their last two games after picking up three points against Espanyol and a draw against Malaga last time out. They are hardly being cut adrift at the bottom, but three points at this stage of the season is crucial.
Just a reminder that we have a host of La Liga matches to bring you this weekend. Be sure to join us tomorrow from 4pm for three back-to-back matches in Spain. Believe me, you will not want to miss it.
Meanwhile, here's a word from Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar on ESPN: "The important thing is to play the way we want. Playing well we will have more chances to win. We're going out to win. We're not going to draw, but sometimes a point after the game is good."
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. I am backing a home win this evening. Stay with us as the night's events unfold.
Osasuna kick us off on this mild evening in Spain. The players will not be used to playing on a Friday night. It remains to be seen whether they will be affected.
CHANCE! Immediate opportunity for the away side as Sisi finds Nano in the box, but Claudio Bravo makes a fine save to clear the danger for a corner. It could have been the best possible start for Osasuna.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Griezmann strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. Meanwhile, Sisi fires over down the other end. All-action start to this match.
Decent spell for Sociedad at the moment with Xabi Prieto and Zurutuza enjoying early possession of the ball. However, the away side have already demonstrated their ability to threaten on the counter.
Both sides continue to exchange strikes from long range as Sisi hits another effort, but once more he fires just wide of the target. No real clear chances thus far with speculative efforts on the agenda.
Half-chance for the home side as Sociedad force a free kick just outside the box, but Prieto's cross is cleared by Oier. Meanwhile, Vela heads just wide of the target moments later.
CHANCE! Sociedad should be ahead as Vela finds the head of Ifran in the box, but the striker can only loop his effort over the crossbar. It is all one-way traffic at the moment and the first goal appears to be on its way.
Both sides have continue with their policy of shoot on sight as Sola hits another effort from outside the box, but it was never troubling the goalkeeper. It really is end-to-end stuff at the moment with limited football in midfield.
Another chance comes and goes for Sociedad as Ifran searches out the run of Vela, but the Mexican can only slice his effort straight into a defender. Meanwhile, an Osasuna attack is broken up at the other end. Hardly time to stop for a breath at the moment.
The match has just settled down after a pulsating opening period to the match. However, there remains a distinct lack of short passing with both sides preferring to go back to front with one long ball.
Just a reminder that three points for Sociedad would elevate them into the top half. Meanwhile, Osasuna would move out of the relegation zone with a win. Neither has set up to play for a point, that is for certain.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match comes to the home side as Vela picks out the run of Griezmann in the box, but the Frenchman can only hook his effort past the post. How is this match still 0-0?
First yellow card of the match is handed to Mikel Gonzalez as he fells Sisi outside the Sociedad penalty area. However, the latter's effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Right. We have played 25 minutes of football and still the score remains 0-0. Both sides have had chances, but Griezmann has come the closest for Sociedad. And the home side are just starting to take control of the match.
Big penalty shout for Osasuna as Sisi is felled in the penalty area by Inigo Martinez, but the referee shakes his head. Sociedad break down the other end, but Damia is on hand to clear the danger.
What was I saying about Sociedad taking control of the match? Two chances in quick succession for Osasuna as Sisi heads onto the crossbar before Sola heads wide from close range.
Sociedad have had control of the possession for the past few moments, but their ability to create chances appears to have deserted them. The match is so delicately poised.
Where has that opening 33 minutes gone? It must be said that this is one of the most exciting La Liga matches of the season. It is almost as if someone has pressed fast forward. There remains little midfield play.
Another half-chance for Osasuna as Sisi pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area, but he was crowded out at the vital moment. Meanwhile, a host of offside decisions break up Sociedad's attacks.
The match has just become ever so bitty in the past few minutes with both sides giving away a host of free kicks outside the box. However, the quality of the set pieces have been lacking thus far.
Osasuna have a penalty shout turned down as Armenteros is felled in the area, but the referee waves play on and the striker picks up a yellow card for his complaints. Little over five minutes until the break.
The match has picked up pace once more with both sides attacking with numbers. Meanwhile, Osasuna have another penalty appeal turned down. That one looked slightly more clear cut.
There was certainly a period where Sociedad looked in control of this match, but that is no longer the case. As it stands Osasuna look the side more likely to score the opening goal. But half time will allow time to regroup.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of added time at the end of the half.
Osasuna continue to threaten in the latter stages of the half, but Sisi fires wide and Bravo has possession with little over 20 seconds of the half to play.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. An entertaining half of football is brought to an end with Sociedad and Osasuna level at 0-0. Just how the match is goalless will be one of life's biggest mysteries.
Sociedad have shaded possession with 58%, but they have managed four shots to Osasuna's six. The away side have also registered more shots on target.
Just a reminder that victory for the home side could move them as high as fifth spot. Meanwhile, the three points for Osasuna would move them out of the relegation zone. Surely we will have a goal in the second period?
We have not seen much from Vela and Griezmann for Sociedad in the opening half of football. But Sisi and Sola have been bright sparks for the away side. I would expect to see Imanol Agirretxe in the second period for Sociedad.
Here we go then. Sociedad kick us off in the second period. Meanwhile, change for Osasuna as Roland Lamah replaces Alvaro Cejudo.
Impressive start to the second half from Osasuna as Sisi and Sola combine outside the Sociedad box, but the latter is just crowded out at the vital moment. The away side have their tails up here.
Another half-chances comes the way of Osasuna as Nano strikes a long-range effort, but it was always moving past the post. Meanwhile, the defender is back to clear a Vela pass down the other end moments later.
Osasuna continue to threaten the Sociedad box as Nano whips a dangerous cross towards Sisi, but Martinez is on hand to clear the danger. It is all one-way traffic at the moment.
Sociedad simply cannot get out of their own half as Loe and Oier continue to press in advanced areas. However, the score remains level. You just get the feeling that a singular goal would win the match.
First real sign of Vela in the second period as he collects possession out wide before driving into the Osasuna box, but Fernandez turns the Mexican's effort wide of the post. Better from the former Arsenal striker.
Sociedad are enjoying their best spell of the second period as they pass and probe outside the Osasuna box, but the relegation threatened outfit have defended superbly thus far.
It's good work from the home side as Ifran and Vela combine just outside the Osasuna box, but once more the attack breaks down at the vital moment and Osasuna launch a counter of their own.
Another change for Osasuna as Sola is replaced by Onwu. Little under 30 minutes of football to play and the score remains level. Osasuna started the match the stronger, but Sociedad have improved in the past few minutes.
Half-chance comes the way of Ifran as Vela finds his strike partner in the penalty area, but he can only head wide of the target. Still no sign of any substitutions for Sociedad.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides exchanging spells of possession. Meanwhile, the chances have certainly been few and far between in the second period.
Another half-chance comes the way of Sociedad as Ifran drives into the penalty area, but his teammate Prieto gets in the way of his strike. Griezmann fires an effort wide moments later.
First change of the match for the home side as Prieto is replaced by Chori Castro. It was a surprise not to see the attacker start this match. But he has 20 minutes to make a difference for his side.
Not a great deal happening at the moment, truth be told. Sociedad are enjoying possession of the ball, but are yet to really test the away side's goalkeeper. Osasuna, meanwhile, are a threat on the counter.
Another change for the home side as Zurutuza is replaced by Ruben Pardo. Both teams have one change remaining if they so wish. But a point would not be the worst of results for either team.
There is a great deal more football being played in this second period, but it has certainly led to less excitement. Osasuna have another half-chance as Sisi strikes from close range, but Bravo gathers the danger.
What was I saying about less excitement? Someone has hit the fast forward button once more as both sides launch attacks, but the score remains level. Little over 10 minutes of football to play.
Osasuna are defending ever so deep at the moment with Sisi the lone player in attack. However, Vela and Ifran have yet to really light this match up. But that could all change in the remaining moments.
Final change for the home side as Ifran is replaced by Agirretxe. Can the striker inspire his team in the remaining seven minutes?
Sociedad have the ball in the back of the net as Griezmann fires home from close range, but the midfielder was ruled offside. I think it is safe to say that a goal for either side wins this match at this stage. Sociedad are the team on the attack.
Final change for the away side as Armenteros is replaced by Timor. Osasuna are clearly playing for a point in the remaining moments. A draw in this match would be good for them based on their position in the table.
CHANCE! Osasuna so nearly take the lead with moments remaining as Oier meets a high cross in the penalty area, but his effort is saved by Bravo. We are in the final minute of the 90.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time as Nano heads straight at Bravo. Will we have a winner in the final moments?
Sociedad have possession with little over a minute of football remaining. However, Osasuna have eight men behind the ball and there are simply no gaps to exploit.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. An exciting match is drawn to a close with both sides sharing the points in a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga action. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
