La Liga: San Sebastian Set for Saturday Showdown

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid

Four games into the new La Liga season and there’s a familiar look with the top three places occupied by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

That is no surprise with the three dominant forces in the Spanish top flight over the past decade and a half expected to occupy those positions (in one order or another) throughout the majority of the campaign.

The four point gap that Barca have at the summit is a healthy one at this stage following four straight wins.

Yet that will only inspire the machine from the Bernabeu as they look for La Liga highlights in San Sebastian on Saturday night.

Talking Points

Despite it being an international break, it’s been another hectic week in the world of Real, including an early contender for most unusual story of the season.

At one point it appeared they could be about to add Stockport County coach Andy Mangan – a former colleague of manager Carlo Ancelotti’s son – to their staff.

While he would have dreamt of joining Los Blancos when he started his coaching courses alongside Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti, Mangan has not been granted a work permit to move to Spain.

The bigger blow for the Spanish champions this week has been the injury sustained on international duty by centre back Eder Militao – the defender swiftly returning to Spain after suffering a thigh injury in training with Brazil.

Real have reportedly spoken to FIFA over their annoyance at the inclusion of a player who missed the majority of last season after tearing his cruciate ligament and has only just returned to full fitness.

The Madrid back line is already missing long term absentee David Alaba and Ancelotti had few obvious options to step in for Miltao so there’s relief in the camp now it looks like he will be fit to play against Sociedad.

Carlo Ancelotti prepares Real Madrid ahead of their La Liga match against Real Sociedad — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti during their match against UD Las Palmas

There’s also a massive boost with midfield duo Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni both returning to training this week.

If only Sociedad had such welcome news with Brais Méndez and Hamari Traoré (for the season) joining club captain Mikel Oyarzabal on the sidelines after picking up injuries before the international break. Álvaro Odriozola may also miss out against his former club, although Aritz Elustondo has returned to training.

Sociedad, of course, managed to keep hold of one of their midfield talents this summer but said goodbye to another.

Amidst interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, the latter of which extended to a bid, Martin Zubimendi decided to stay with the Spanish club rather than join the Merseysiders.

The 25-year-old, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, was targeted by the Reds after they were told unequivocally he wanted to leave this summer.

However, Sociedad tried to persuade the player to change his mind and, ultimately, succeeded.

Meanwhile, Mikel Merino – you may remember him as the last-gasp match winner for Spain in their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany – moved to south London.

Sociedad reluctantly agreed to cash in, especially as Merino had entered the final year of his contract at the La Liga club.

The club has acted with Croatian Luka Sucic brought in to strengthen the midfield, while Orri Oskarsson and Nayef Aguerd arrived late in the transfer window too.

Now they need to get going after loisng losing both home league matches so far.

Sociedad have always qualified for Europe under the astute management of Imanol Alguacil and football in the Basque country means everything.

The scalp of the champions would be a major ticket to land.

History

Sociedad have only one win over Real in their last nine encounters.

It came at the tail end of 2022-23 as second half goals from Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea sealed a 2-0 home win which helped Sociedad seal a top four spot against the eventual runners-up.

Real secured a double last season on their way to reclaiming the title.

After Barrenetxea had given Sociedad a surprise lead, goals from Federico Valverde and Joselu early in the second half turned the match around.

The corresponding fixture in San Sebastian was settled by a solitary first half goal from Arda Guler.

Sociedad have caused an upset on more than one occasion in recent seasons.

That included a Copa del Rey success at the Bernabeu in 2020 when Merino grabbed the winner and was joined on the scoresheet by Alexander Isak (two) and Martin Ødegaard in a thrilling 4-3 win.