Real Madrid’s 10-man squad once again fell short of the La Liga title race as Takefusa Kubo pursued his former club after scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.
Barcelona beat Osasuna 1-0 ahead of Tuesday’s opening match at Real Arena, where Madrid offered little without a suspended Vinicius Junior or a rested Karim Benzema.
Cubo, who joined La Real from Los Blancos last July, scored just after half-time and after Dani Carvajal was ordered two cautions, Ander Barrenechea secured the home win.
Next week’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City seems to be a priority for Real Madrid now compared to La Liga, where they are 14 points behind leaders Barca with five games to go.