Eibar's clash against Real Sociedad ends in goalless stalemate
The Armeros picked up a point in the Guipuzcoan derby
Eibar and Real Sociedad played out a goalless draw in their LaLiga Matchday 30 encounter, a game in which the Armeros were the better side for large spells. The hosts had several opportunities to break the deadlock but ultimately lacked fortune in the final third.
Eibar dominated in the early exchanges as José Luis Mendilibar's charges made several inroads into the visitors' box. The first chance of the game fell to Pape Diop with 15 minutes on the clock but he contrived to head Pedro León's corner kick over the bar.
Eibar continued to apply the high press as La Real looked to play the ball out from the back, which enabled the hosts to exploit their trademark wing play to break away on the counter. The clearest opening of the first period came in the 24th minute when Pedro León set off down the right on a fine solo run, and whilst the Txuri-urdin backline cleared his initial cross, Cote picked up the loose ball and unleashed an effort which flew wide of Miguel Ángel Moyá's upright.
Despite their best efforts, neither side were able to make the breakthrough. A minute later, León and Joan Jordán both had chances to put the home side in front, but once again a lack of ruthlessness in the final third prevented Eibar from taking the lead.
After the restart, the game followed a similar script. La Real took advantage of the constant stops in play to step things up and began to pose a threat with the Álvaro Odriozola's electric pace down the right giving Eibar plenty to think about. Willian José had the most gilt-edged opportunity for the visitors, but he ballooned his effort from inside the area over the bar.
Eibar, meanwhile, kept probing in search of a goal. With Kike García leading the charge in attack, the Armeros carved out several chances to get their noses in front. In the 70th minute, León fired in a left-footed effort from inside the area after a clearance had fallen to him, and minutes later, Eibar had their best chance to have broken the deadlock with two chances in quick succession. Firstly, Jordán failed to finish after having been well found by Takashi Inui and the Japanese winger then headed an Ander Capa cross from the right agonisingly across the face of goal.
No goals were ultimately forthcoming and this stalemate sees Eibar move onto the 40-point mark.