Atleticos championship dreams suffer blow in draw against Real Sociedad

Atletico Madrid managed just a 1-1 stalemate away to Real Sociedad on Sunday, which saw them trail La Liga frontrunners Barcelona by 11 points.

Diego Simeoones team now share 38 points with third placed Villarreal yet they have two extra fixtures under their belt and slipped further in the contest for the Spanish crown.

Alexander Sorloth nodded Atletico into the lead shortly after the interval but Goncalo Guedes struck back just five minutes on to earn Real Sociedad a share of the spoils for their new American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo in his debut outing.

The home team Real Sociedad began brightly with Mikel Oyarzabal shooting just past from long range while Jan Oblak had to palm aside Brais Mendezs effort.

Atletico who have secured only two victories in their previous five league outings posed occasional threats but the Basque outfit dominated and nearly went in front prior to the break.

The Rojiblancos forward Sorloth accidentally headed into his own goal though it was ruled out due to offside on Mendez who had positioned himself in front of the Norwegian player.

Merely five minutes after the restart Sorloth powered a header into the net this time to put his side up courtesy of a delivery from Giuliano Simeone.

Conor Gallagher missed a golden chance to make it two blasting wide of the upright when clean through and paid the price moments later.

Guedes restored parity for Real Sociedad following Takefusa Kubos surge into the area and low cross which the unattended Portuguese player converted.

Oblak produced a sharp stop low down to deny Kubo and his counterpart Alex Remiro was called upon too as Antoine Griezmann broke clear yet could merely shoot straight at the keeper from a narrow position.

Carlos Soler nearly snatched victory for La Real during added time curling an effort just beyond the post which left his side in 15th spot.