Real Sociedad travelled to Osasuna on Sunday looking for the three points to consolidate fourth position in the La Liga table.
A fairly low-key first period brought no goals, although Sociedad did look the most likely to open the scoring.
Both teams had their moments in the second half, but neither could make the breakthrough as the points were shared in a goalless draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the El Sadar as Osasuna welcome Sociedad. Both sides are in desperate need of the points as we approach the latter stages of the season, but for very different reasons. One thing is for certain, it promises to be a tense affair.
Osasuna currently occupy 15th position in the table, just three points outside of the drop zone with seven matches remaining. They will not be able to call upon an impressive home record this evening, however, having won just five of their 16 matches on their own turf. This is the type of match that they simply cannot afford to lose.
Sociedad, on the other hand, have Champions League football on their minds. They are currently one of the in-form teams in the division having won four of their last five, a run of form that has moved them one point clear of fifth position with a game in hand. They have also been impressive on their travels this season, with the fourth-best record in the league.
TEAMS:
OSASUNA: Fernandez; Flano, Oier, Arribas, Silva; De las Cuevas, Armenteros, Cejudo; Nano, Loe, Sola
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Mikel, C Martinez, I Martinez, Cadamuro; Prieto, Elustondo, Bergara, Agirretxe; Vela, Griezmann
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Osasuna team with Loe joining Nano and Kike Sola in attack. Meanwhile, there are also starts for Cejudo and De las Cuevas. Sociedad have Carlos Vela available despite a knock last weekend, while Cadamuro comes into the back four. Right, the home side get the action underway at the El Sadar.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a strong atmosphere. It's a bright start from the home side as Cejudo drives down the left before finding Loe in the box, but Mikel is across to make a fine challenge, before Carlos Martinez takes an elbow from Sola.
You just get the feeling that the first goal could be vital in this type of match. If Sociedad can pick up another three points, they will be huge favourites to secure fourth position in the table. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about thus far, however, with Osasuna enjoying early possession of the ball.
Sola is again involved for the home side as he attempts to collect a long pass from Armenteros, but Bravo is out to quell the danger. A half-chance comes down the other end for Vela, but the Mexican can only fire his effort straight at the goalkeeper. Bright opening six minutes to this match.
Another half-chance for Loe as the Frenchman collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Sociedad have just not got started thus far as the home side continue to boss proceedings. But you just get the feeling that they have to score during this spell of the match.
Chance for the home side to test the opposition goalkeeper as Cejudo is felled outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Silva, but his effort just flashes wide of the post. We have not seen much from the likes of Vela and Griezmann in the opening 10 minutes, but I suspect that will change in due course.
Sociedad's struggles continue as Mikel is booked for handball in a wide area. The resulting free kick is taken by Armenteros, but once more Bravo is on hand to make the clearance. No real tempo to the match at the moment as the card count continues to rise. Busy opening 12 minutes for the referee.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but the home side continue to dominate possession of the ball. However, we have seen it all too often with Osasuna this season. They struggle to score goals during bright periods. Another chance comes and goes as Armenteros curls past the post from just outside the box.
Sociedad simply cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as another pass goes astray from Carlos Martinez. This is a real test of their European credentials this evening. Loe continues to battle away in midfield for Osasuna with the Frenchman finding Sola outside the box, but Inigo Martinez is across to make a really smart block.
Vela wants a penalty as the Mexican hits the deck in the Osasuna penalty area, but the referee is not interested. Sola is involved down the other end as he collects possession before striking towards goal, but Cadamuro is on hand to make a fine block. Really stern defending from Sociedad once more.
Vela has just started to influence proceedings in the last few moments as he twice delivers dangerous balls into the box, but Osasuna manage to clear on each occasion. Moments later, the referee is forced into action as he books Griezmann for a late challenge on Cejudo. Bitty period with 21 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the away side as Griezmann finds Vela in the box, but Oier is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Just a few signs that Sociedad are starting to get to grips with the match, while Osasuna have just struggled to keep possession in the last few minutes.
The challenges continue to fly in from both sides, with Nano the latest to receive a booking for a late challenge on Sociedad forward Agirretxe. The resulting free kick is taken by Griezmann, but his effort is straight into the wall. It remains goalless with little over 20 minutes to play in the first period.
CROSSBAR! Stunning chance for the away side as Agirretxe meets a corner from Vela, but his header thumps off the crossbar. It drops to Prieto in the box, but somehow the danger is scrambled clear. How on earth have they not scored? The chances are starting to come for the away side.
Osasuna just cannot keep hold of the possession at the moment with Sola and Nano struggling to gain control in the final third. A couple of high balls into the box cause concern to the Sociedad defence, but the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the El Sadar.
There really is an underlying ill-feeling in this match as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. However, neither has been able to make use of the free kicks thus far. Vela remains a threat on the counter for Sociedad, but the home side have just taken control of the midfield battle once more.
Again it's good work from Nano as the Spaniard delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Sola, with Carlos Martinez across to clear the danger. The resulting corner causes plenty of problems in the Sociedad box, but it is scrambled clear, before a counter attack for Sociedad breaks down moments later.
Osasuna continue to force the issue down each wing, but the final pass just has not been good enough thus far. If it were a boxing match, then the home side would be leading on points at this stage. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, with the two sides still level at 0-0.
It's a better cross from Cejudo this time as the Spaniard finds the head of Sola, but the Spaniard can only plant his effort over the crossbar. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Vela attempts to craft something down the other end, but the Mexican never really had control of the ball.
Good possession from the home side in the last couple of moments, but they are not really threatening to open the scoring. Eventually Cejudo tries his luck from distance, but Carlos Martinez makes the block, it falls to Sola, but the Spaniard fires wide of the target.
Again it's good work from Vela as the Mexican evades two challenges before delivering a low cross into the box, but Miguel Flano is first on the scene to clear the danger. The Osasuna skipper is involved in an attacking sense moments later, but his ball towards Armenteros was always too long for the Argentine.
Slightly scrappy end to the first period with Vela picking up the sixth yellow card of the half for a late challenge on Flano. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time. Fairly low-key opening 45 minutes of football.
HALF-TIME: Osasuna 0-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Osasuna started the match the better, but Sociedad grew into the latter stages of the half. In truth, there has not been a lot between the two sides.
STATISTICS: The home side have just about shaded the possession with 52%, but they have managed just four attempts to Sociedad's six. There have also been seven yellow cards in the first period, which demonstrates the pace and intensity of the match thus far.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of options on the sidelines in the shape of Nino, Damia and Punal. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Castro, Ifran and Dani Estrada on the bench. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. Just a reminder that following this fixture we have action from Sevilla against Atletico Madrid. Right, the away side get the half underway.
Bright start to the half from the away side as Prieto floats a dangerous cross into the box, but Vela cannot make contact. The resulting corner is delivered towards Agirretxe, but the Spaniard never got enough power on his effort. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive.
Half-chance for the home side moments later as De las Cuevas meets a cross from Sola, but the Spaniard can only head straight at the goalkeeper. Both sides have started the half like a house on fire. Another corner comes into the Sociedad box, but Bravo punches clear.
Vela wants a penalty as he is bundled over by Nano, but the referee is not interested. Replays have suggested that the Mexican did indeed have a case. You just wonder whether Osasuna will be made to rue missed opportunities in the first period. I would be astounded if there were not goals in the remaining 40 minutes of this match.
Osasuna continue to force the issue in the final third with Sola causing problems with his pace and movement. An opportunity comes on the counter as Sola evades two challenges before finding Nano, but Mikel was across to clear at the vital moment. Both sides have been sound in defence this evening.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last few minutes as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. The latest presents Osasuna with the opportunity to strike a free kick from outside the box, but they decide to work it short, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
You just get the feeling that this match could be decided by a mistake rather than a piece of brilliance. It has not been the same Sociedad side that has impressed this season, while Osasuna continue to struggle to find that final pass. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, with the two sides still level at 0-0.
The ball just is not sticking for either side this evening as each defence continues to press in their own half. In truth, it has not been a vintage Spanish fixture, with the tempo continuously interrupted by a host of challenges. Still no changes from either manager, although I expect that to change in the next 10 minutes or so.
Sola wants a penalty as the Osasuna forward hits the deck in the box, but once more the referee just is not interested. Replays have suggested that it was a clumsy challenge by Inigo Martinez, but not really enough to award a penalty. No real chances for either side in the second period thus far.
Half-chance for the away side once more as Elustondo delivers a low cross into the box, but Andres Fernandez is on hand to claim the danger. Silva is involved down the other end moments later, but once more the quality of the cross leaves a lot to be desired. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining between these two Spanish rivals.
Half-chance for Silva once more as the defender takes control outside the box before thumping an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Just a few signs that Osasuna are starting to open up as we approach the latter stages, but Sociedad still appear quite comfortable.
I think it would be safe to assume that one goal wins this match for either side. That is a difficult thing to say with still 20 minutes of football remaining, but neither side has looked likely throughout the opening 69 minutes. What a win it would be for Sociedad if they could conjure something up.
First change of the game for Sociedad as Chory Castro replaces Elustondo, who has been a willing runner this evening. Positive change from Montanier. He still has the likes of Ifran and Estrada on the bench if he should wish. Still no movement on the Osasuna bench.
CHANCE! It's really bright work from Vela as the Mexican drives down the right before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but it was just too long for Griezmann, who only needed to make the slightest of contact. You just get the feeling that we could have late drama in the final 15 minutes or so.
Change for the home side as Nino replaces De las Cuevas. No sign of either manager settling for a point here. Osasuna have just started to enjoy a spell of possession in the last few moments, but they cannot find a way through this stern Sociedad defence. Little under 15 minutes remaining.
Time for someone to make themselves a hero in this match. It would certainly be a better point for Osasuna than for Sociedad. However, neither team has really done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of the match. A long-range strike comes from Armenteros, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Second change for the home side as Silva is replaced by the experienced Punal. The crowd has just gone quiet in the last 10 minutes or so, with the action on the pitch just stuttering. It is almost as if both sides have accepted a share of the spoils. Little under 10 minutes of football to play this evening, with the two sides still level at 0-0.
The quality of the final pass has been poor from both sides this evening. Again it's good work from Vela as the Mexican moves past two defenders before driving a cross into the box, but it fails to find a blue shirt. Meanwhile, second change for the away side as Vela is replaced by Diego Ifran.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Ifran to make an immediate impact as he collects a pass from Agirretxe before striking towards goal, but Oier is across to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner is delivered by Griezmann, but once more the danger is cleared.
Oier becomes the latest player to have his name taken for a foul on Ifran outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Griezmann, but it was well wide of the target. Agirretxe is involved moments later, but he cannot finish under pressure from Flano.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment as the away side continue to force the issue, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Final change for the home side as Masoud replaces Cejudo. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
Not too much to report in the final couple of moments with both sides seemingly accepting a share of the spoils. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Nano fires a searching cross into the box, but Bravo is out to collect, with the Sociedad stopper gaining a free kick in the process.
FULL-TIME: Osasuna 0-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. Sociedad remain in fourth position despite a goalless draw with lowly Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for action from Sevilla. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
