Atletico Madrid’s La Liga title challenge suffers a blow after a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad, leaving them 11 points behind leaders Barcelona
ATLETICO Madrid’s La Liga title hopes suffered a significant setback after a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad.
The result leaves Diego Simeone’s side 11 points behind leaders Barcelona and level on 38 points with third-placed Villarreal, having played two more games.
Alexander Sorloth headed Atletico into the lead early in the second half from Giuliano Simeone’s cross.
The hosts equalised five minutes later through Goncalo Guedes, who finished from Takefusa Kubo’s cut-back.
Real Sociedad started strongly, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez forcing saves from Jan Oblak.
Sorloth had earlier headed into his own net before the break, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Mendez.
Conor Gallagher missed a chance to double Atletico’s lead, firing wide when through on goal shortly before Guedes’ equaliser.
Oblak made a smart save to deny Kubo later in the match, while Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann was denied by Alex Remiro.
Carlos Soler almost won it for Real Sociedad in stoppage time but curled a shot narrowly wide.
The draw leaves Real Sociedad in 15th place, while it marks a disappointing start for their new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
