REAL SOCIEDAD HOLDS INTER TO GOALLESS DRAW TO SECURE HISTORIC TOP SPOT

Tuesday’s goalless draw between Real Sociedad and Inter Milan gave them the upper hand in Champions League Group D and allowed them to advance as the league’s leaders for the first time.

At the San Siro stadium, the La Liga team was undefeated and guaranteed a spot in the round of 16. With 12 points in the end, it was tied for second place on goal differential with Inter.

“I’m ecstatic right now. Just take a look at all of the supporters who have attended,” Real Madrid player Martin Zubimendi said to Movistar.

“This goal (winning the group) was a little challenging at first, but once we got going, we succeeded. It’s amazing.

Real controlled the majority of the possession in a dull first half in which it did not manage to register a single shot on goal. Inter had adopted a counterattacking strategy to begin the game, but they lost the one opportunity to take the lead right before halftime.

After Serie A top scorer Lautaro Martinez entered the game in the second half, Simone Inzaghi’s team appeared more dangerous, but the Argentine was unable to take advantage of his opportunities in the box.

“We knew we needed to play a patient, high-possession style of football. We were able to accomplish that, particularly in the first half, but we had to constantly exercise caution when counterattacking since they have some extremely dangerous players when going one-on-one,” said Zubimendi, who won man of the match.

The VAR eventually overturned the penalty that the Basques believed would put them up, and Takefusa Kubo received a booking for feigning a foul in the box fifteen minutes into the game.

Inter manager Inzaghi stated Mediaset and Sky Sport Italia, “We knew that second place would make for a tougher draw, but I don’t want to see sad faces, I only want to see smiles as we finished the group unbeaten.”