As PSV plays Real Sociedad for the first time in history on Thursday, we get to know the Spanish team in more detail. The club from the Basque capital San Sebastian is currently in fourth place in La Liga and in four games, obtained nine points. Only FC Barcelona was lost this season.
Europa League qualification
Last season, Real Sociedad de Fútbol - as the club is known in full - finished fifth in the Spanish league. This is the best position the club has achieved since season 2012-2013. Back then, the club finished fourth. Due to this result, the team qualified for the UEFA Europa League this year. The new season started promisingly for the team, as can be seen from the results below.
- FC Barcelona - Real Sociedad 4-2
- Real Sociedad - Rayo Vallecano 1-0
- Real Sociedad - Levante 1-0
- Cadiz - Real Sociedad 0-2
Europa League
Real Sociedad is participating in the Europa League for the third year this season. Last season it played in the group stage and wintered at the expense of AZ, among others. In the first knockout round, Manchester United was too strong.
Trainer
Real Sociedad's coach is former football player Imanol Alguacil. He was born on July 4, 1971 in Ohio. The Spaniard started as an assistant coach in 2013. A year later, he was working as a trainer for the club. Alguacil himself played most of his career for Real Sociedad.
Estadio Anoeta
Real Sociedad plays in the stadium: 'Estadio Anoeta'. The stadium has a capacity of 39,500 fans, making it just slightly larger than the Philips Stadium which seats 35,000. Estadio Anoeta is located south of downtown San Sebastian.
Dutch league
Swedish striker Alexander Isak has been playing for Real Sociedad since 2019. In 2016, the striker was active in the youth academy of Borussia Dortmund where Mario Götze played at the time. In the 2018-2019 season, the striker was rented to Willem II. He played sixteen games and scored thirteen goals for the club. He also played a game against PSV. Willem II lost 3-0 at home on April 25, 2019. A few months later, he left for Real Sociedad. Alexander Sørloth also has a past in the Dutch league. From 2016 to 2017, he played for FC Groningen
Star player
Real Sociedad's undisputed eye-catcher comes from its own ranks. Mikel Oyarzabal scored more than 40 goals for the Basques from his debut in the 2015-2016 season. Last summer, he was at Euro 2020 with Spain and scored against Sweden.
