There is no doubting where the main headlines were made on the second weekend of the new La Liga season. Away up in San Sebastian, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid juggernaut rolled into town to face Real Sociedad looking to build on their opening day win over newly-promoted Cordoba.
As is so often the case, the European champions went into the contest as heavy favourites and their star-studded line-up promptly raced into a two goal lead within 11 minutes of kick-off at the Anoeta. That, however, was as good as it got for Los Blancos as the Basque team launched an astonishing comeback which saw then score four unanswered goals and eventually run out 4-2 winners.
The main media focus will, of course, be placed on the Bernabeu side’s inability to close out a match in which they were in cruise control. This should not take anything away from Jagoba Arrasate’s team though, who showed admirable resolve to recover from a seemingly hopeless position. Key to Real’s famous fight back, and the sixth-highest points scorer over the weekend on eurofantasyleague.com, was two-goal hero David Zurutuza, who firstly netted the equaliser shortly before half time by ghosting in at the far post to power a bullet header past Iker Casillas from Alberto De La Bella’s cross.
He then once again found himself in the right place at the right time, getting in front of his marker Pepe to steer home Xabi Prieto’s pass. In truth, the 28-year-old formed part of a fine overall team performance by the home side but his double strike ensured he will take the lion’s share of the credit.
Born in the French town of Rochefort, the midfielder is a product of Real’s youth system and has spent his entire career on the books of the San Sebastian club. Following a loan spell at neighbours Eibar in the 2007-08 season, he made his Real first team debut in November 2008 and has since become a mainstay at the Anoeta. Though injury problems have at times hindered his progress, Zurutuza has remained a part of the club’s plans under the likes of Coaches Juanma Lillo, Martin Lasarte, Philippe Montanier and now Arrasate.
Under Uruguayan Lasate, he helped the Basques return to Spain’s top flight in 2010 after a three-year absence and has been a consistent performer as the club have gone about re-establishing themselves as firm fixtures in the Primera. The highlight of this period was undoubtedly Real’s fourth place finish in 2012-13, which saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in a decade.
Now, at the age of 28 and having reached an age at which most footballers are at the peak of their powers, Zuruzeta appears well placed to remain with his boyhood club for years to come. More performances like Sunday’s should guarantee that this is the case.
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