Deportivo La Coruna travelled to Real Sociedad on Sunday knowing that three points would have moved them out of the relegation zone in La Liga.
They took the lead after 27 minutes when Pizzi converted from close range, but Carlos Vela levelled the score moments before the interval with a fine individual strike.
Both teams had chances in the second period, but neither could make the breakthrough as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Our La Liga coverage continues as Real Sociedad welcome a resurgent Deportivo side to Donostia-San Sebastian. The home side would certainly be happy with a mid-table finish at the end of the season, but an impressive campaign this far sees them sit just three points off seventh position.
In their way this evening is a Deportivo side that have new-found belief following their impressive win over Malaga last time out. It wasn’t so much the result that has boosted the supporters, rather their performance. They won by just the single goal on the evening, but it could have been much more with the home side entirely outclassing their more illustrious opponents.
The wonderfully-named Domingos Paciencia recently took charge of the club and has been given the task of negotiating the great escape. It is understood that he has been handed funds in order to improve the squad, which is certainly needed at this stage of the season. Despite success last time out, they have won just three of their last 20 matches.
Sociedad, meanwhile, have impressed not only with results, but the quality of their football this season. They have recorded wins over Valencia and Sevilla in recent weeks, but their form has tailed off somewhat with draws against Granada and Getafe. As mentioned, they were beaten 4-3 by Real Madrid last time out, but on another evening they might have taken something from the capital.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how both sides have fared this season. Sociedad have scored 27 goals in their 18 matches, the sixth-best scoring record in the division. Meanwhile, Deportivo have managed 22 goals. To put that into context, Barcelona have scored the most goals with an incredible 61 and Osasuna have scored the least with 14.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Ansotegi, De la Bella, Martinez, Prieto; Elustondo, Illarra, Pardo, Agirretxe; Vela, Griezmann
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Marchena, Ze Castro, Pablo, Evaldo; Vasquez, Bergantinos, Santos, Riki; Gama, Pizzi
What about down the other end? Socieded have conceded 24 goals in their 18 matches thus far, but Deportivo sit bottom of the defence table with 39 goals. That works out at over two games a match, which is a clear indicator of why they are where they are in the table. Malaga currently top the defensive table with just 13 goals conceded, a quite incredible statistic.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Deportivo have just about shaded the last five matches with three wins to Sociedad’s two. However, each match has always been a tight occasion with just one goal separating the teams in three of those particular matches. However, that period ranged from 2006 to 2011 and it is probably fair to state that much has changed at both clubs since then.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Deportivo have been in decent form of late and I can see them taking a point from this particular game. I am backing a score draw.
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder of the main team news. Sociedad pair Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann in a strong attacking side. Meanwhile, Deportivo have Riki, Bruno Gama and Pizzi all available. The selections point to an open match.
Here we go then. Just a reminder of the current situation in the league. Sociedad would strengthen their grip on ninth position with three points this afternoon, while closing the gap on Levante. Meanwhile, Deportivo could move off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone with the victory. The home side get the action underway.
Far from a full house inside the stadium. It appears that the supporters have decided to remain inside on this cold evening in Spain. It's a good start from Sociedad as Xavi Prieto combines with Carlos Vela outside the box, but the latter's effort is wide of the post. Bright opening to proceedings.
Sociedad have certainly taken control of the early possession with Elustondo, Illara and Ruben Pardo enjoying plenty of the ball in the midfield area. The latter attempts to find Vela once more, but the former Arsenal striker cannot collect. Deportivo attack down the other end with Pizzi, but the Portuguese is dispossessed by Marchena.
Half-chance for the away side as Ze Castro - who is celebrating his 30th birthday today - meets a cross from Riki, but his header was always moving high of the crossbar. Neither side has really settled thus far with the ball spending more time in the air than on the deck. Six minutes on the clock and the score remains 0-0.
Patient football from Sociedad at the moment as they play down one side before cutting back to find Griezmann in the middle. The Frenchman attempts to find the run of Vela behind the Deportivo defence, but Manuel Pablo is out to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the opening goal could be crucial in this match.
Sociedad continue to enjoy possession of the ball inside the opening 10 minutes, but neither side has been able to create a real opportunity. A half-chance does arrive as Aranzubia loses possession in his own box, but Vela can only roll his effort wide under the challenge of Evaldo.
Again Sociedad threaten as Griezmann collects possession on the right before evading two challenges and firing a cross into the box, but Pablo is on hand to clear. Vela picks up the rebound, however, and looks the Frenchman once more, but again the danger is scrambled clear. All one-way traffic here.
That just about sums up Deportivo's opening 14 minutes to this match as Andre Santos takes one touch before accidently rolling the ball straight out of play for a goal kick. They have simply not got Gama and Pizzi involved in the match thus far. Sociedad threaten down the other end with a corner from Vela, but Marchena heads clear.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with neither side able to put together any sort of extended possession. However, slight sign of a threat for Deportivo as Pizzi combines with Gama in the box, but the ball is played wide to Riki and eventually the danger is quelled.
Another half-chance for the away side as Riki is felled by Elustondo. The resulting free kick is taken by the Deportivo skipper, it finds Bergantinos outside the box, but the Spaniard can only fire high and wide of the crossbar. End-to-end football for the first time in the match as Sociedad force a corner of their own moments later.
Riki is again involved for Deportivo as he collects possession outside the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but Bravo is on hand to gather possession. Sociedad resume their theat in the next attack as Griezmann finds Vela in the penalty area, but the danger is hooked clear. Really open match with 20 minutes on the clock.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes. Sociedad have just taken control of the possession once more, but they have been restricted to very few clear opportunities. Vela and Griezmann remain the most likely for Sociedad, but this Deportivo side is a better defensive unit than in previous weeks.
That defence is almost broken as Prieto fires a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but it just evades Agirretxe before drifting out for a throw. Deportivo attempt to break with Gama, but the Portuguese cannot evade the challenge of Carlos Martinez and it quickly breaks down. Very sloppy at the moment.
Deportivo continue to threaten on the counter as Gama fires a low cross into the penalty box, but Bravo just manages to palm the danger clear with Riki in close proximity. The tempo in this match has certainly been raised as Bergantinos has another strike from outside the box, but Ansotegi throws his body in the way to make the block.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 0-1 Deportivo (Pizzi)
First blood to the away side! Deportivo take the lead as Pizzi collects a loose pass from Bergantinos before chipping his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper. That is a finish of the highest order. What a goal that could be in the context of their season.
There has been an obvious swing in this match with Deportivo now looking the side more capable of adding to the scoring. Just a reminder that three points for the away side would move them out of the relegation zone. Something which seemed unthinkable before the winter break. But there is still a long way to go in this match make no mistake about that.
Deportivo continue to offer an attacking threat as Gama darts behind the Sociedad defence before cutting a pass back to Pizzi, but this time the Portuguese cannot make decent contact and the danger is cleared. Sociedad attempt to break with Vela, but once more his pass towards Pardo is short of the required target.
Little over 10 minutes of the opening period remaining and Deportivo are just about as comfortable as they could ever imagine to be. Sociedad certainly controlled the early stages, but that has changed in recent minutes. The home side are enjoying plenty of possession in their own half, but time after time they cannot find the elusive final pass.
POST! It's good work from Agirretxe as the Sociedad forward drives past Marchena, but the Spanish defender gets back to clear for a corner. The set piece is met by Agirretxe, but his header thumps against the post. Much better from the home side.
Another half-chance for the home side as Griezmann collects possession outside the box before turning and striking an effort on goal, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. That just about sums up their opening 38 minutes to this match. They just need their supporters to raise them in the latter stages of the half.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the home side to level as they counter with three players, but Evaldo cannot finish off the sweeping move with Bravo tipping behind his own crossbar. The goalkeeper should have never been given the opportunity make such a save.
Decent pressure from the away side in the latter stages of the half as they force a couple of corners, but the danger is cleared by Sociedad on each occasion. It is difficult to believe that there will not be more goals in this match. Neither side has a particularly good defensive record this season. Little over three minutes of the half remaining as Bergantinos tests Bravo from long range.
Half-chance for the home side down the other end as Griezmann collects a high pass from Pardo before driving into the box, but the offside flag was raised. Replays have shown that it was a very close call. Little over one minute of the first period remaining and Deportivo lead 1-0.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna (Vela)
Sociedad level moments before the interval as Vela drives down the right before cutting inside and finding the bottom corner with a wonderful strike. That is his eighth league goal of the season. What a time to level the scores with Deportivo in the driving seat.
HALF-TIME: Real Sociedad 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna
So there we have it. The referee blows his whistle as the two sides go in level at 1-1. The away side opened the lead after 27 minutes when Pizzi scored from close range, but that strike from Vela has levelled the scores at the interval. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
As it stands Deportivo would move off the bottom of the table, but the three points would move them out of the drop zone altogether. There will not be much movement on Sociedad's position regardless of their result this evening. Let me bring you some statistics from the opening half of football.
Sociedad have shaded the possession with 58%, but they have had five shots to Deportivo's seven. That said, Sociedad have hit the target on just one occasion, in contrast to Deportivo's five. You just cannot help but feel that there will be more goals in the second period. The match opened up towards the latter stages.
Just a reminder of what we have to come this evening on Sports Mole. Following the completion of this match, we have action from Madrid as Atletico welcome Real Zaragoza. Then comes arguably the game of the weekend as Malaga welcome Barcelona. Be sure to remain with us for that.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. No changes for either side at the interval. Both teams have options on the bench with Diego Ifran the obvious option for the home side. Meanwhile, Deportivo could call upon the likes of Juan Carlos Valeron and Nelson Oliveira. The away side get the second period underway.
Impressive start to the second half from the home side as Prieto drives down the right before firing a high cross into the box, but Vela just cannot make the telling touch as it drifts out for a throw. This match is so delicately poised following that Vela strike moments before the interval.
Deportivo attempt to threaten down the other end as Gama evades two challenges before striking an effort on goal, but Bravo was always comfortable in dealing with the danger. Really good tempo to the match at the moment as Sociedad launch a high cross into the box down the other end, but the danger is cleared.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both teams exchanging spells of possession in the middle of midfield. Meanwhile, a host of fouls have also slowed the tempo. A draw is just about correct at the moment, but both have demonstrated an ability to create chances.
Slight problem for Griezmann here as the Frenchman takes a nasty one from Vazquez, but following a brief spell of treatment the Sociedad attacker is deemed fit to continue. The pressure remains from the home side as Vela fires a high cross into the box, but it is goes behind for a corner, which is cleared.
There is a very strange rule in Spain at the moment whereby each time a handball is awarded, a yellow card follows. That is the case once more as Illara is penalised for using his hand to control the ball. It does create a situation, however, where a player can be dismissed for two minor and sometimes accidental incidents. Anyway, we have little over 30 minutes of football to play and the score remains 1-1.
First change of the match for the away side as Vasquez is replaced by Deportivo's new signing, Paulo Assuncao. The Brazilian midfielder will just come into the team and provide some calmness. Meanwhile, the rain is just starting to fall in this part of Spain. It is like a mild afternoon in Burnley.
The referee just needs to get to grips with this match at the moment as both teams continue to fly into dangerous challenges. The official turns a blind eye to a Riki challenge before the Spaniard finds Pizzi, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Neither side has created too many chances in recent minutes.
It's good football from the home side as Pardo combines with Vela before the Mexican slips a pass behind the Deportivo defence, but Aranzubia is on the cover to clear the danger. The pressure remains this time through Griezmann, but once more the final pass fails to reach its desired target.
Not much to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes, although there are no signs that either team are prepared to settle for a point. It's good work from Santos as he drives into the Sociedad box, but he just overruns the ball. Meanwhile, the home side make their second change as Riki is replaced by Nelson Oliveira.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pardo whips a dangerous cross into the penalty box, but Evaldo turns behind his own goal for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Vela, but once more the delivery is poor and the danger is cleared. Still no sign of the elusive third goal with 66 minutes on the clock.
RED CARD: The away side are reduced to 10 men as Evaldo is handed his second yellow card for a challenge on Pardo. It was not too clever from the defender and he has left his side in trouble here. Meanwhile, Deportivo make an immediate change as Santos is replaced by Silvio.
In fairness to the referee he has kept a lid on this match in the past few moments, but the players have not made it easy for him. It is getting to that stage where one goal would surely be enough to pick up the points. Agirretxe threatens once more as he drives into the box, but it comes to nothing as Marchena clears.
Sociedad continue to threaten with a series of high balls into the penalty area, but Deportivo's defence remains nice and compact and the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, the home side make another change as Pardo is replaced by Chory Castro. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Deportivo have got away with one here as Ze Castro fells Vela, but the referee awards the defender a yellow card despite the striker being clear on goal. The away side should really be down to nine men here. They attempt to launch an attack on the counter through Gama, but the Portuguese cannot sort our his feet in the box.
Right, we have little over 15 minutes of football remaining in this match. Will we have another winner? Sociedad continue to look the most likely as they pass and probe around the edge of the Deportivo box, but they have thus far been unable to find that decisive pass. It would be a wonderful point for the away side should they hold on.
Sociedad again threaten on the counter attack as Griezmann strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but it was straight at the goalkeeper and Aranzubia is able to make the save. Vela attempts to collect the rebound, but it just would not fall for the Mexican with Ze Castro across to clear the danger.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to attack down each wing before firing dangerous crosses into the penalty area, but in fairness to Deportivo they have been sensational in defence this evening. Meanwhile, the home side make another change as Ifran replaces Agirretxe. Little over 10 minutes remaining.
Oliveira attempts to create something for Deportivo down the other end as he collects possession in the penalty area before turning and striking an effort on goal, but it was straight at the goalkeeper. Vela comes close on the counter with a powerful strike, but it just fizzes past the post.
The home supporters continue to make their voices known as they attempt to drive their team over the finish line. However, it appears that their luck is just out today as another dodgy offside decision goes against them. Deportivo would certainly be happy with a point in this match, but the same cannot be said for the home side.
Good spell for Deportivo in the last couple of moments as Marchena wins a free kick for his side in the opposing half. The minutes continue to waste away as the away side keep hold of possession in the opposing half. If there is to be a late winner in this match then it simply has to come now.
Deportivo are simply not interested in attacking at the moment as they continue to thump the ball away at each opportunity. A half-chance does arrive for the home side as Vela fires a high cross into the box, but it was just too high for Pardo and Aranzubia comes out to collect.
Half-chance for the away side as Oliveira's effort is deflected towards goal, but Bravo just gets back to make a fine save. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football at the end of the match. It is now or never.
Deportivo continue to clear their lines on each occasion as cross after cross comes into the penalty area. Ifran thought he had a clear shooting chance on goal as he drove into the penalty box, but the flag was raised. Little over 30 seconds of football to play and the score remains 1-1.
FULL-TIME: Real Sociedad 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna
So there we have it. The points are shared in a 1-1 draw between Sociedad and Deportivo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and remain with us for action between Atletico Madrid and Real Zaragoza. Until then!
