When Gareth Bale’s scruffy effort went past goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to Real Madrid the mood within Anoeta was turning ugly. Within 10 minutes Real Sociedad conceded two goals that could have been avoided, Sergio Ramos getting the first by taking advantage of some slack marking.
However, Ramos would be less instinctive in defence, as Inigo Martinez got ahead of the centre-back to cut down the lead to a single goal. Six minutes later Real Madrid’s lead crumbled as David Zurutuza equalized.
The 28-year-old bravely met Alberto De La Bella’s delicious cross with a thumping header before colliding with Marcelo. Zurutuza’s effort rejuvenated the fans in San Sebastian as the team looked revitalised after a terrible start.
In the second half Real Sociedad played the same type of football that helped deliver Champions League football two years ago. Zurutuza won hero status among La Real fans by putting them in front after turning in Xabi Prieto’s teasing cross from close range. Things got worse for Madrid when Carlos Vela made it four after lacklustre defending from a corner.
La Real did well to cap off a bad week in Europe with a stunning victory. Coach Jagoba Arrasate needed this after their calamitous elimination in the Europa League when they suffered a 3-0 loss [3-1 on aggregate] against Kuban Krasnodar in Russia on Thursday. Real Sociedad deserve to be commended after showing real character and determination.
For Madrid this was quite a setback, for two reasons. First, their defending should be a cause of concern for Carlo Ancelotti, as Los Merengues conceded two sloppy goals from corners where players lost their marker.
Secondly, the sale of Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso could prove hurtful, as both were instrumental last season for Real. Transferring Alonso could hurt more, as he was the defensive bulwark that sat in front of the back four, allowing others to attack. Without him there isn’t that added protection and leaves Madrid with a lack of balance and the team slightly disjointed.
Ancelotti will hope the defeat against Real Sociedad was more a minor blip than a precursor of what is to come.
Worse still, Madrid’s rivals Barcelona won against Villarreal. While Madrid withered when put under pressure by Sociedad it was different for Barcelona as they battled to victory. Credit must go to Luis Enrique, who wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions when called on, such as replacing Pedro with the young striker Sandro.
It was the 18-year-old substitute who turned in Messi’s cross with just six minutes to go, fully justifying Enrique’s faith in the youngster. Where Barcelona would have drawn games last season under tactician Gerald Martino they are starting to show resilience and grind out difficult games to win.
Meanwhile, the promoted sides are more than holding their own in La Liga, with Cordoba, Eibar and Deportivo La Coruna putting in good performances.
Although Eibar lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid they certainly put in a battling display at Vicente Calderon. Eibar controlled possession at times in the second half as they tried to find an equaliser and completed more passes than Los Colchoneros.
Eibar’s goal was brilliant, as Abraham wonderfully curled his shot past goalkeeper Miguel Moya after good build up play, certainly one of this weekend’s best goals.
Cordoba would gain their first points of the season against Celta Vigo at home in Estadio Nuevo Arcangel. Celta took the lead through Nolito early in the second half but through encouragement from the raucous crowd they took a point through on-loan winger Fede Cartabia’s strike.
Deportivo battled to salvage a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano with new signing Isaac Cuenca holding his nerve to convert a penalty and earn a point. If the promoted clubs can continue these performances they will easily avoid relegation.
