Real Madrid warmed up for next week's Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain by beating Real Sociedad 5-2 in La Liga on Saturday night.
The victory moved Los Blancos above Valencia into third spot in the table, but the reigning champions are still 16 points off league leaders Barcelona.
Zinedine Zidane's side will now switch their attentions to the European Cup as they prepare to welcome PSG to Madrid for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad. Fourth-placed Real Madrid will enter the match 19 points behind league leaders Barcelona, and indeed 13 points off second-placed Atletico Madrid, who won at Malaga this afternoon. Sociedad, however, are down in 14th amid an inconsistent season. Stay tuned!
Real Madrid have won each of the last six La Liga fixtures between the two teams – including a 3-1 victory at the Anoeta in the early stages of this season. Los Blancos also won 3-0 when the pair met at the Bernabeu last term, and they are unbeaten against Sociedad since August 2014. Sociedad, meanwhile, have not actually won a league game in this stadium since May 2004.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Bernabeu. Both managers have had a free week to prepare for this match. Any changes? Let's see...
TEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Ronaldo
REAL SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Odriozola, Navas, Elustondo, De la Bella; Illarra, Zurutuza; Prieto, Canales, Oyarzabal; Juanmi
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made two changes to the team that started against Levante last weekend, with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez coming in for Casemiro and Gareth Bale. Karim Benzema keeps his spot at centre-forward despite scoring just two league goals this season.
As for Sociedad, their team shows two changes to the one that started against Deportivo La Coruna last time out. David Zurutuza returns from injury to start in the middle of the park, while Sergio Canales is handed a starting role against his former club. Juanmi will lead the Sociedad line.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-2 draw at Levante last weekend.
It was another poor result for Real Madrid, and the draw kept them in fourth position in the table. They will enter this match 19 points behind league leaders Barcelona, and indeed 13 points off second-placed Atletico Madrid. Just 11 wins from 21 league fixtures is simply not good enough for Los Blancos.
Incredibly, three of Real Madrid's four league defeats this season have come at the Bernabeu. Indeed, they have only lost once on their travels, but have had a lot of problems on home soil. Zidane's side were also dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes after losing 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid did beat Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 in their last league match on home soil, however, and will fancy their chances of putting three points on the board tonight. It is a big game for Los Blancos when considering that Villarreal are just two points behind the champions in fifth position.
Real Madrid are also in desperate need of a confidence boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Indeed, the Spanish champions will welcome the French giants for the first leg of their last-16 tie. That is a truly massive game for both clubs, especially considering that the second leg does not take place until March 6.
As for Sociedad, the Basque outfit also have European football to think about in the coming weeks. Indeed, they will welcome Austrian side Salzburg for the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash next week. It might well be that Sociedad concentrate on the Europa League because winning that competition is the only chance they will have of playing Champions League football next season.
Indeed, an inconsistent 2017-18 campaign has left Eusebio's side down in 14th position in the table. They have only won seven of their 22 league fixtures – drawing five and suffering 10 defeats. That said, the Basque side will enter this match off the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Deportivo.
Sociedad's 5-0 win over Deportivo followed four straight league defeats, but they are actually only four points off the top half of the table. The Basque outfit finished sixth last season though, and they will not be repeating that finish this time around. Inconsistency has been a big problem.
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Can Real Madrid return to winning ways in La Liga? Stay tuned right here to find out what occurs!
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
... there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium tonight, and the home supporters will be expecting a response from their team following last week's draw at Levante. It is very interesting to see Asensio and Vazquez in the Real Madrid XI, with Bale among those to drop out tonight.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad (Lucas)
Oh my word! Real Madrid take the lead in the first minute of this match as Lucas heads a brilliant Ronaldo cross into the far corner of the net. What a start from the Spanish champions!
It has been a very open start to this match, with Sociedad not afraid to commit players in the final third of the field. Indeed, Canales's dangerous cross just failed to find Juanmi in a dangerous area.
Just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid tonight would see them move above Valencia into third. However, they would still be 16 points off league leaders Barcelona, and 10 off second-placed Atletico.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Sociedad as they work the ball in the final third of the field. Not too much of an atmosphere at the moment as the tempo has dropped a touch following a fast start.
POST! Super chance for Benzema to double the home side's advantage, but the Frenchman pokes against the post under pressure from Rulli. Really should have been 2-0 there.
I would be extremely surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match. Ronaldo has just had the chance to convert a volley at the far post, but his effort was always too high.
Sociedad have enjoyed more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but they are yet to threaten the home side's goal. Willian Jose - Sociedad's leading scorer - will be a big miss tonight. Real Madrid are not overly concerned with defending at the moment as Modric stays up the field.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid are dominating the ball as they look to work space in the final third of the field.
Asensio looks to find Benzema with a cross from the right, but Rulli manages to gather under pressure. Sociedad really cannot afford to concede a second goal at this stage of the match.
There is not really a defensive midfielder on the pitch for Real Madrid, with Modric and Kroos pushing high up the field. A lot of players have been given licence to break forward in this match.
Possession football for Real Madrid, but not too much else at the moment.
Asensio drives forward before finding Ronaldo, but the number seven's shot is blocked. Dangerous counter-attack from Real Madrid, but it ended in disappointment. Sociedad a touch lucky there.
Carvajal breaks down the right before delivering a low cross into Asensio, but Rulli does well to claim. Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances since Benzema hit the post.
Bit of possession for Sociedad in the last couple of minutes, but Navas has been unmoved between the Real Madrid sticks. It is not the best game at the moment in terms of entertainment value.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid score their second of the night as Marcelo drills an excellent low cross into the Sociedad box, and Ronaldo is on hand to fire into the back of the net. Poor from the visitors!
Sociedad have been poor in the first 30 minutes of this match. Very poor indeed.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid are so incredibly comfortable. Sociedad look like a team that are currently 14th in Spain's top flight. That is for sure.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Ronaldo finds Benzema inside the Sociedad box, but the Frenchman's goal-bound strike is deflected wide! Benzema needs a goal!
POST! Ronaldo fires against the crossbar from close range!
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Real Sociedad (Kroos)
It is 3-0 Real Madrid as Kroos simply places the ball into the far corner of the net! Sensational technique from the German international, who has all but secured the points for the home side.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid are so comfortable. Sociedad do not seem interested in taking the game to the home side, and they also cannot defend.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Real Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo rises to head a Kroos corner into the bottom corner as Real Madrid find a fourth!
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid could score seven or eight if they fancy it. It would not be a surprise to see Ronaldo come off in the second period ahead of the PSG match, although the number seven will want to improve on his league goal tally tonight.
Marcelo delivers a low cross into Asensio, and the Spaniard's effort just drops wide of the post.
Sociedad have not had a single chance of note in this first period. Navas has his slippers on between the sticks. There is not much point in the Costa Rican international playing tonight!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 4-0 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Sociedad 4-0. Ronaldo has a couple for the home side, while Lucas and Kroos have also put their names on the scoresheet. Sociedad have been utterly hopeless in the first 45 minutes of this game.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 59%, while they managed 12 attempts - six of which were on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, did not have a single attempt in the first period. No bookings to report - Sociedad have not really been able to keep up to make a challenge!
BENCH WATCH! Sociedad have Agirretxe on their bench tonight, while Kevin Rodrigues is also available. There is no question though that the Basque side are missing leading scorer Willian Jose. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Isco, Bale and Kovacic on what is a very strong bench.
RESTART! Sociedad resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here. Eusebio could have changed all XI!
Zidane will surely look to withdraw Kroos and Modric in the second period ahead of the clash with PSG next week. Ronaldo could also come off, although the forward will want a hat-trick tonight.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Canales.
Carvajal races away down the right, but De la Bella is on hand to make the clearance. Sociedad are yet to have a single shot on target. The Basque outfit have been extremely poor here.
Bit of possession for Sociedad in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it. Real Madrid have not had the same intensity since the half-time break, meanwhile.
POST! Sociedad come close to getting their name on the scoresheet, but Juanmi's header hits the post! Still no attempt on target, but that is their best chance.
Perhaps Sociedad's first attempt on target as Juanmi's looping header is gathered by Navas. Real Madrid are yet to really threaten to score a fifth goal in the second period.
We are entering the stage of the match where Zidane will be considering changes. Just a reminder that Los Blancos will welcome PSG for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 4-0. Sociedad are preparing to make a couple of changes, and Zidane also looks to be preparing a sub or two here.
SOCIEDAD SUBS! Canales and Zurutuza are replaced by Bautista and Zubeldia.
REAL MADRID SUBS! Isco and Kovacic replace Lucas and Modric.
No rest so far for Ronaldo! Also no goals in the second period. In truth, not too much has occurred since the half-time break. The tempo from the home side has dropped, which is not a surprise.
Quite a scrappy game at the moment as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In truth, it has been a poor second half, which is not too much of a surprise.
Illarramendi curls a free kick over the Real Madrid crossbar from distance.
Little under 20 minutes of football remaining, and Sociedad are having a lot more of the ball.
It appears that Bale will soon enter the field for Real Madrid. Ronaldo to be replaced?
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale replaces Asensio for the home side.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad (Bautista)
Sociedad get their name on the scoresheet as Bautista pulls off Varane before finding the back of the net with a low finish. Super work from the substitute, and Real Madrid have conceded.
Little under 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Sociedad are looking for more goals.
Bale is seen for the first time down the right as he plays a smart pass into Ronaldo, but the Portuguese is offside. Sociedad then break down the other end of the field with Juanmi.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Real Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo completes his hat-trick as he converts from close range after Rulli had palmed a strike from Bale into his path! Poor from the Sociedad goalkeeper it must be said.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-2 Real Sociedad (Illarramendi)
Illarramendi fires into the back of the Real Madrid net following a header from Juanmi!
SOCIEDAD SUB! Juanmi is replaced by Guridi for the away side.
Little under five minutes of the second period remaining, and it has been some game!
Bale misses the post with a low strike as Real Madrid look for a sixth goal.
Rulli gathers a low cross from Bale as Real Madrid continue to threaten here.
CLOSE! Ronaldo heads just wide from a Kroos free kick!
We are into the second of two added minutes at the end of the 90 minutes.
BOOKING! Kovacic (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Guridi.
CHANCE! Benzema fails a low Bale cross over the crossbar!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 5-2 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid beating Real Sociedad 5-2 to move into third position in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
