Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad: The Dream of Reaching the Copa del Rey Final

By/Mareb Al-ward

In the 2020 Copa del Rey quarterfinals, Real Sociedad entered the Santiago Bernabéu with courage, creating one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by defeating Real Madrid 4-3. Today, the Basque side returns to the same stage, but this time in the semifinals, drawing inspiration from that glorious night that paved their way to the title against Athletic Bilbao.

On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti’s men know that reaching the final is not just a milestone but a decisive step in their quest for a historic treble, which would immortalize this season in the records of the royal club.

Analysis of Both Teams’ Recent Performances:

Real Madrid enters the match following a hard-fought 3-2 win against Leganés in La Liga, keeping up the pressure on Barcelona, who are three points ahead. This win boosts their morale ahead of this crucial encounter.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad also comes into the match with high spirits after their 2-1 victory over Valladolid, though they face a significant challenge, trailing by one goal from the first leg.

Historical Encounters:

Out of the last 15 meetings, Real Madrid has won 8 times, while Sociedad claimed 4 victories, and 3 matches ended in a draw. In the Copa del Rey, the teams have faced each other 19 times, with both sides winning 9 matches each, and one match ending in a draw. This balanced history makes the upcoming game even more significant, as both teams seek to tilt the head-to-head record in their favor.

Real Madrid’s Quest for the Final:

Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey champions 20 times, returns to the competition with unwavering determination after ending their title drought in 2023, their first win since 2014. Today, the Merengues aim to capitalize on their first-leg advantage to surpass Real Sociedad and reach the final, hoping to secure a historic treble they’ve long dreamed of: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

However, this match is more than just a semifinal; it’s a true test of Real Madrid’s strength and resilience in the crucial moments of the season, especially after the criticism Carlo Ancelotti faced for the team’s struggles to close out games.

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid’s Manager):
“We are excited to reach another final, but we know this match will not be easy. The support of our fans and our first-leg lead gives us a huge boost.”

Real Sociedad: The Dream of Making History Again

On the other side, Real Sociedad enters the match with the mentality of a fearless team at the Santiago Bernabéu. With a one-goal deficit from the first leg, they must score more than once, which could push them to adopt an attacking approach. This could leave them vulnerable to counterattacks, which Real Madrid’s players can exploit quickly.

In his press conference, manager Imanol Alguacil expressed optimism about his team’s ability to fight in this historic stadium, saying:
“We believe in our ability to cause chaos and reach the final.”

The significance of this match for Sociedad lies in the historic opportunity to create another upset against Real Madrid, especially after their 2020 win at the Bernabéu, which set them on their way to clinching the title against Athletic Bilbao.

Expected Tactics for Each Team:

Real Madrid will rely on a style of play centered around ball possession and exploiting the wings, thanks to the speed of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, along with a midfield led by Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga, capable of quickly recovering the ball and transitioning to attack.

Ancelotti is expected to employ a high press at the start of the match, aiming to score an early goal that would allow him to control the flow of the game and prevent any surprises from Sociedad. The Merengues will also try to exploit any spaces left by Sociedad’s defense if the latter pushes forward.

Squad List for the Match:

Goalkeepers: Lunin, Fran González, Sergio Mestre
Defense: Alaba, Lucas V., Vallejo, Fran García, Rüdiger, Asensio
Midfield: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Modrić, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler
Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will mainly focus on intense attacking play, as they will exert great effort to pressure Real Madrid’s defense and try to create chances through wide play. With players like Oyarzabal and Kubo, the visitors will be able to pose a danger in counterattacks and apply high pressure on Madrid’s defense when the ball is lost, potentially creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Expected Formation for Real Sociedad:

Remiro; Traoré, Zubeldía, Elustondo, Muñoz; Sosa, Zubimendi, Marín; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barenetxea

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Real Madrid’s Strengths:

• Fast Attacks: Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Mbappé can exploit any space behind Sociedad’s defense.
• Midfield Control: With Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga, Madrid has the ability to control the tempo and outplay Sociedad in possession.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive Vulnerabilities: Madrid still struggles at times with defensive organization, especially in set pieces and crosses.

Real Sociedad’s Strengths:

• Offensive Flexibility: Sociedad can create attacking opportunities through the movements of Oyarzabal and Kubo in space.
• High Press: The team has the ability to apply high pressure upon losing the ball, potentially forcing Madrid into mistakes.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive Spaces: Sociedad may struggle with leaving spaces behind their defense if they push forward, which Madrid’s players can exploit in counterattacks.

Key Player Battles:

Jude Bellingham vs. Igor Zubeldía: A decisive midfield battle between two of the best midfielders in La Liga.

Vinícius Júnior vs. Hamari Traoré: Vinícius will be one of Madrid’s key attacking outlets, and Traoré must prevent him from moving freely in open spaces.

Predictions and Possible Scenarios:

If Real Madrid scores an early goal, it is expected that Sociedad will retreat and rely on counterattacks to try to reduce the deficit. Should Madrid assert control from the start, they may secure a comfortable win. However, if Sociedad holds firm and Madrid fails to score, the Basque side could have a significant opportunity to press Madrid in the second half. If Sociedad manages to score early, Madrid may struggle to impose their style of play, forcing them to go on the offensive, opening the door for quick counterattacks.

Conclusion:

This match will be a tactical and mental battle between two teams chasing their dreams. Will Real Madrid make it to the final, or will Sociedad cause another surprise?

Source: https://madridball.substack.com/p/real-madrid-vs-real-sociedad-the