Levante 0 : 0 Real Sociedad - Levante held again

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2013 by PA

Levante played out their second home goalless draw of the new Primera Division season against Real Sociedad.

Both sides hit the crossbar in the second half, Carlos Vela first of all from six yards, before home midfielder Papakouli Diop curled a free-kick against the frame late on.

The first half was short on goalmouth action with David Barral heading over Levante's best chance from close range after 10 minutes.

Antoine Griezmann and Vela saw speculative efforts go wide before Alberto de la Bella also failed to find the target for the visitors on the half-hour.

Sergio Pinto's 25-yard shot for Levante missed right to finish a less than memorable first 45 minutes.

Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo had been a spectator for most of the first half but it took just three minutes after the interval for him to be tested.

The Chile international was up to the task as he kept out Papa Baba Diawara's 12-yard shot with his feet.

At the other end Keylor Navas, who helped Costa Rica qualify for the 2014 World Cup in midweek, palmed away a Vela effort as the game finally showed signs of life.

Vela, who was growing increasingly influential, then shot over from outside the area before Diawara forced another important block from Bravo.

Sociedad's pressure almost told on 67 minutes when Navas parried away a Haris Seferovic shot before Vela could only strike his effort against the crossbar from six yards.

Levante improved thereafter and could have snatched the win themselves only for Diop to curl his free-kick against the crossbar 10 minutes from the end.