AP Match Report
With Ronaldo nursing his hurt left knee, Madrid’s visit to Sociedad was billed as its toughest outing left in the league. Instead it proved to be a pleasant trip to San Sebastian, as Madrid put together a no-nonsense performance highlighted by Bale’s outstanding strike.
Sociedad’s early push sputtered out when its former player Asier Illarramendi tilted the game in Madrid’s favor just before halftime by scoring a rebound from Karim Benzema’s shot that goalie Claudio Bravo pushed down in front of his net.
After Sergio Ramos and Benzema had both hit the woodwork, Bale pounced on Bravo’s scuffed goal kick that fell to him 30-meters outside the area before quickly unleashing a blistering left-footed strike to seal the result in the 66th.
Pepe swept in Madrid’s third in the 85th before substitute Alvaro Morata scored with two minutes to play.
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The Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid La Liga match is set for Saturday, April 5.
Kick-off time is 8:00 p.m. CET (2:00 p.m. ET) at Estadio Municipal de Anoeta.
The game will be broadcast on Canal+ 1/HD/30 in Spain.
The game will also air on beIN Sports en Español and beIN Sports USA in the United States.
Live stream is available on beIN Sports Play.
The odds for this game via OddChecker are:
Real Sociedad: 5-1
Real Madrid: 8-13
Draw: 7-2
Here are 2 AP columns on the Real Madrid.
MADRID REBOUNDS
After a two-game losing streak that took it from first to third, Real Madrid has won two straight games to recover its confidence going into the final stretch of the domestic title race.
It’s going to need it with a difficult trip Saturday to Real Sociedad, which is trying to maintain its pursuit of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Sociedad trails fourth-place Athletic Bilbao, which travels to Levante on Monday, by six points with seven rounds remaining.
Madrid may be without Cristiano Ronaldo after he left Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund with his left knee hurting. Forward Angel Di Maria should return after missing the Dortmund match because of a stomach virus.
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PEPE LAUDED
Real Madrid defender Pepe was given rousing applause by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday as his strong defensive performance helped Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0. The support came days after Ronaldo was jeered at the Bernabeu.
“It’s fantastic, it’s the result of my work over the course of the season,” said Pepe, whose jovial character off the field is a far cry from the brutish one he displays on it.
“Pepe didn’t just play a good game tonight — he’s had a great season,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.