La Liga
Aug 31, 2014 8.00pm
4
2
HT : 2 2
FT
  • Esteban Granero 17' yellowcard
  • Inigo Martinez 35' goal
  • David Zurutuza 41' goal
  • David Zurutuza 65' goal
  • Carlos Vela 75' goal
  • goal Sergio Ramos 5'
  • goal Gareth Bale 11'
  • yellowcard Daniel Carvajal 36'
  • yellowcard Isco 82'

Player Ratings: Real Sociedad 4-2 Real Madrid

Real Sociedad 4-2 Real Madrid

David Zurutuza scored twice as Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2 in their La Liga clash at the Anoeta on Sunday.

Madrid led 2-0 through Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale after 11 minutes, but goals from Inigo Martinez, Zurutuza (2) and Carlos Vela secured all the points for the home team.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed in the entertaining La Liga affair.


REAL SOCIEDAD

Goal

Enaut Zubikarai: Impressed with his shot-stopping, especially in the first period under constant pressure, but needs to improve from crosses and high balls. (6/10)

Defence

Joseba Zaldua: Enhanced his ever-growing reputation with a brilliant performance. Threatened in an attacking sense in the second period and was strong defensively at right-back. (7/10)

Inigo Martinez: Was in the right place at the right time to score his side's first of the night, but was caught out on a couple of occasions in the opening 20 minutes or so. (7/10)

Gorka Elustondo: Like Martinez, struggled in the early moments, but recovered to produce a calm and composed performance at the heart of the defence. (7/10)

Alberto de la Bella: Very good night for the left-back. Caused Dani Carvajal all sorts of problems down the left and it was his brilliant cross that set up Zurutuza for the midfielder's first of the night. (8/10)

Midfield

Esteban Granero: Perhaps lucky to remain on the field after making a number of rash challenges in the first period, but his all-action style certainly aided his team's recovery. (7/10)

Xabi Prieto: Two assists for the skipper, who set up Martinez for Sociedad's first and Zurutuza for their vital third goal. Brilliant all-round performance from the midfielder. (8/10)

Markel Bergara: Slightly over-shadowed by a number of his teammates, but performed a vital sitting role in the middle of the park. (7/10)

David Zurutuza: Man-of-the-match performance from the Spaniard, who headed Sociedad's equaliser before scoring their third with a finish from close range. Was just everywhere for his side. (9/10)

Attack

Chory Castro: Tasked with providing support to lone striker Imanol Agirretxe, but struggled to make much of an impact before departing on the hour mark. (6/10)

Imanol Agirretxe: Caused Madrid problems with his physical presence, but could not find the back of the net despite a couple of good opportunities. Like Castro, departed after 60 minutes. (6/10)

Substitutes

Carlos Vela: Made an immediate impact, with his pace and movement causing Madrid all sorts of problems. Made sure of the points after 75 minutes with a brilliant finish into the top corner. (7/10)

Sergio Canales: Must also be credited for changing the game in the second period. The Spaniard played his part in Sociedad's third and showed some brilliant touches on the ball. (7/10)

Mikel Gonzalez: Introduced after 83 minutes to tighten the defence and did just that. (6/10)


REAL MADRID

Goal

Iker Casillas: Was not directly at fault for any of Sociedad's four goals, but looked extremely nervous from crosses once more. That said, Madrid's shaky defence did not help his confidence. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: So often a threat in the final third, but really struggled this evening. Was also caught out defensively on a number of occasions in the second period. (5/10)

Pepe: Went missing as Sociedad continued to threaten from wide areas and was poor in possession. Wasn't the worst of the bunch, but was well short of his best. (5/10)

Sergio Ramos: Only defender to emerge with any credit. Scored early on before hitting the crossbar with a brilliant free kick. That said, was caught ball-watching in the second period. (6/10)

Marcelo: Forgot all about his defensive duties as he continued to break forward in the second period. (5/10)

Midfield

Luka Modric: Was one of Madrid's best players last season, but has struggled to find his form in the early part of this campaign. Lacklustre display from the Croatian. (6/10)

Toni Kroos: Should have made it 3-0 with a wonderful chance early on, but fired straight at the goalkeeper. His passing was also surprisingly poor for a player of his ability. (6/10)

Isco: Showed some nice touches during Madrid's dominant start, but went missing when Sociedad began to control the possession in forward areas. (5/10)

Attack

James Rodriguez: Showed flashes of his undoubted brilliance, but looked lost for long spells. Was not too comfortable performing in a wider area. (5/10)

Karim Benzema: Another poor showing from the Frenchman. Lacked movement and went missing when his team needed a strong outlet in the final third. (5/10)

Gareth Bale: Showed brilliant skill to score Madrid's second of the night. Was comfortably his side's most dangerous attacker, but struggled for service in the second period. (6/10)

Substitutes

Sami Khedira: Should have been introduced much sooner to tighten up the midfield. Almost set up a grandstand finish late on, but headed over the crossbar from close range. (6/10)

Alvaro Arbeloa: Replaced Carvajal after 77 minutes, but was hardly seen for Madrid. (5/10)


Author photo

Written by

Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe