Real Madrid were tested and had luck on their side, but they won their all-important match.
After Barcelona dropped points against Sevilla, Real Madrid saw their opportunity to reclaim their spot at the top of the league table. But the task ahead of them was difficult, as Real Sociedad are among the most exciting teams in Spain and were the ones to knock Los Blancos out of the Copa del Rey earlier this year.
It wasn’t easy for Real Madrid. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead and eventually held on to win 2-1, but they had luck on their side. Here are five burning questions for Los Merengues after a crucial, but nervous, win.
1. What will be Vinicius Junior’s role alongside Eden Hazard?
Most Real Madrid fans would have expected Eden Hazard to start against Real Sociedad, given the quality of the opposition and the strategic importance of the match at the Anoeta Stadium. Madridistas understand that Vinicius Junior needs to play and Hazard needs to have his minutes managed after two significant injuries in his first season at the Bernabeu, but you would have bet Hazard to start against La Real.
Instead, Vinicius drew the start and put on a show. He was the best player on the pitch, taking on defenders and creating the first goal by drawing a penalty.
Vinicius should have a key role to play for Madrid down the stretch of the season, because as impressive as Hazard was against Eibar and Valencia, Vini also looked like a top La Liga player against Real Sociedad.
He is an important part of the squad, and it will be exciting to see how Zinedine Zidane uses both left-sided forwards.