Diego Simeone switching Atlético Madrid back into a 4-4-2 formation has made the team an effective pressing side. However, Real Sociedad countered that by pulling players out of position, breaking lines, and relying on a certain Martin Ødegaard. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The derby defeat to Athletic Bilbao left a sour taste […]
In a Basque Derby between two opposing styles of play, Athletic forced a technical, possession-based Real Sociedad side into playing long balls, causing aerial duels and fighting over second balls, which is exactly the game Athletic wanted. Despite Real’s substitutions and tactical changes to adapt to this tactical context and become more direct, Athletic still […]
The early goal changed Real Sociedad’s game plan into a more reactive one, and despite initial struggles, they improved in the second half and managed to disorder Real Madrid’s chaotic defense. Despite Vinicius’s best efforts, Real Madrid’s rigid and predictable attack failed to get past an outstanding Rulli in the opposing goal. Solari’s woes as […]
Real Sociedad won their first home match of the season scoring two goals against a passive Celta defense. Sociedad were strong in their pressing and prevented Celta from playing through the midfield, while constantly posing a threat on the flanks which Celta were not able to deal with. Tactical analysis by Chris Baker. Real Sociedad’s […]
Real Sociedad are back to winning ways after a game where they were awful for seventy minutes before Garitano’s astute adjustments helped them to an unexpected but ultimately deserved turnaround. Levante remain a fun offensive team to watch, but their defensive frailties were exposed by the most unlikely of adversaries. Levante and Real Sociedad opened […]
What do you get if you have two teams who actually don’t like having the ball? You get a lot of bad passes, unnecessary lost possession and a first half with just one (!) goal attempt. Real Sociedad against Sevilla was truly a bad game, a pessimist would even call it dreadful. Teams who want […]
Atlético Madrid controlled the game from beginning to end and relied on their defenders to make the difference up front. Real Sociedad tried to respond with counter-attacks and their own spells of possession on numerous occasions, but their weak attack consistently came up short against Atlético’s solid defensive structure. Diego Simeone’s men hosted Real Sociedad […]
The Basque Derby at the San Mamés Stadium was surprisingly won by Real Sociedad, who missed almost a third of their squad due to injuries and suspensions. Their defensive approach turned Athletic’s attacks into a predictable and easily defended festival of crosses into the box. The Basque Derby remains curiously calm off the pitch, with […]
A rethink from Ernesto Valverde between the half-time break and the hour mark at Anoeta made for a marked change in the poise and purpose of his Barcelona side during their 2-1 fightback against Real Sociedad. After an attempt to rest key players ahead of Champions League action, Asier Garitano’s intelligent game plan forced Barcelona […]