Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Quick recap from Madrid?s return to action Real Madrid?s return to football after the international break didn?t really get off to a flying start. Ander Barrenetxea found himself in enough space and time to capitalize on Kepa?s squandered ball and put the visitor 1-0 up. Madrid looked completely lost in the opening minutes of the game as Take Kubo?s left-footed curler nearly put La Real 2-0 up, only for the slightest intervention from Oyarzabaal to disallow the goal for an offside in the 10th minute.
It was an action-packed start at the Bernabeu, but not for Real Madrid. Real Sociedad?s scheme was carving Madrid?s press like a hot knife through butter, while the home side struggled to get inside Sociedad?s box. Madrid?s first real chance came in the 16th minute when Carvajal's deep run and cutback found Joselu in front of an almost open goal, but his finishing was poor as it scooped over to hit the post. Real Madrid got another chance from the rebound, but Rodrygo?s volleyed effort was too tame. These sequences brought some life back into Madrid?s play. Rodrygo and Joselu both had quality chances, but Alex Remiro kept Madrid at bay on each occasion.
Real Madrid dominated possession, almost matched La Real?s xG, and had an equal number of shots, but somehow it seemed that Real Sociedad was the better side in the first half. Madrid?s midfield never imposed itself on the opposition.
Real Madrid had a change in fortun...