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Attendance: 27,322
Real Sociedad logo
La Liga | Gameweek 37
May 12, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

3-1

Merino (26'), Zaldua (57'), Barrenetxea (67')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Diaz (6')

Zidane refuses to shed light on Bale's Real Madrid future as he talks up Diaz

Zidane refuses to shed light on Bale's Real Madrid future as he talks up Diaz
© Reuters
Madrid lost in Sociedad without Bale.

Zinedine Zidane praised former Manchester City midfielder Brahim Diaz but would not speculate over the future of Gareth Bale following Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.

The Madrid coach left Bale out of his squad for the penultimate game of the season amid talk of a summer move away from the LaLiga club for the Wales international.

Sociedad won with goals from Mikel Merino, Joseba Zaldua and Ander Barrenetxea after Diaz gave the visitors an early lead.

Brahim Diaz drew praise from Zinedine Zidane for his opening goal
Brahim Diaz drew praise from Zinedine Zidane for his opening goal (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

To make matters worse for the visitors they had Jesus Vallejo sent off in the first half for handball although Thibaut Courtois did save Willian Jose's resulting spot-kick.

Zidane said of Diaz: "He has played well. He is a good player and very interesting.

"He's young, we'll see what happens next year. He has had minutes and he has done well," the Frenchman added on the club website.

On Bale, he said: "We'll see if he's going to be (playing) next week. He's fine physically. We will see the next game and next year. It's clear what I've done for this week."

Zinedine Zidane was encouraged by his side's quick start against Real Sociedad
Zidane was encouraged by his side's quick start against Real Sociedad (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

Zidane was encouraged by his side's positive start to the game.

He said: "I liked the start of the game, we started well and scored. After the goal scored by Real Sociedad, another match began.

"It was a shame because we played a good game and had opportunities, even with 10. For us, it is better that it's over now.

"The second part has been complicated, but even with 10 it has been back and forth and we had chances to score.

Ander Barrenetxea scored the final goal for Real Sociedad as his side won 3-1
Ander Barrenetxea scored the final goal for Real Sociedad as his side won 3-1 (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

"When you start well and finish like that, it is complicated, especially for the players because of the effort they have made."

Diaz opened the scoring with six minutes played as he evaded three tackles to slot home. But Sociedad were level 20 minutes later as Merino took his time before beating Courtois.

In a busy first half Real Sociedad also had an effort by Mikel Oyarzabal chalked off following a lengthy VAR review and the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Vallejo was dismissed for handball in the area.

However, Courtois guessed the right way to keep out a poor spot-kick from Jose to keep the scores level at the break.

Zaldua headed in the second before Barrenetxea wrapped up the victory with 23 minutes left.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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