Real Sociedad knows how to handle itself in Salzburg
Winning reliably away from home is never an easy task in the Champions League, especially when hopes for the future are placed on the three points.. Real Sociedad did it in Salzburg, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez, after a match in which they once again offered their fine lines, but where strength of spirit was also required.. Today, 11 months after that historic triumph at Old Trafford, Imanol Alguacil's team begins to navigate Europe with a certain composure. And that can be worth a ticket to the second round. [Narrative and statistics (0-2)]
The emergence of Aihen Muñoz in place of the injured Kieran Tierney did not represent any disruption in the coach's continuity, with an eleven already very well outlined at the dawn of autumn. For now, despite the enormous physical demands of his approach, the coach has found a way and is not going to lift a finger from the board. With this level of ambition, almost identical to that offered two weeks ago against Inter, Real presented themselves at the RB Arena. And in five minutes, as against the Italians, their fantastic football was rewarded on the scoreboard.
The away victory against the most vulnerable rival in the group was unavoidable. And the recovery, physical and mental, of Oyarzabal after a delicate knee injury, even more. From that false nine position, the international was coming off a league double against Athletic, although he needed to show himself in Europe. As his first shot hit Schlager's shoulder, he still had to refine his left foot to make it 0-1, in collaboration with Brais Méndez.
Brais's left foot
There were plenty of reasons to demonstrate the visitors' superiority, with a fast and expressive, precise and lightning-fast game.. Held over Zubimendi, with Mikel Merino and Brais flying overhead on a combat mission, Real simply aced football against an overwhelmed rival. The long balls towards Konaté, on the left flank, were suffocated by Igor Zubeldia. Under that very primary scheme, there was little else Salzburg could offer, without the ability to stop what was coming at them.. Not even the early yellow for Le Normand made a dent in Real, who doubled their advantage after a prodigious counterattack, started a few meters from Remiro and finished with Brais' left foot.
In that comfortable habitat, barely disturbed by an ugly kick from Solet to Kubo, the game was managed until half-time.. Barrenetxea liked each other, the half a thousand Basque fans chanted and victory seemed a fact. However, the situation changed with a couple of changes from Salzburg, which in the absence of other virtues, at least had pride and attitude.. In the 50th minute, after an appearance by Simic, Remiro's knockdown was punished as a penalty, but the VAR made the Polish referee reconsider.
Oyarzabal celebrates the 0-1 against Gourna-Douath.
Salzburg grew so much that Imanol, chastened by the draw in the debut, wanted to cool the boiler with the fresh air of Cho and Carlos Fernández in his first line of pressure. You had to swallow your saliva because the body language of the Austrians was really scary. And his tackles at grass level, even more. It is true that Remiro should not have been used to his full potential, although Real could well have been grateful that Frankowski overlooked three handball actions in the area, distributed between Pacheco, Merino and Zubeldia.
Every crossed ball, every second play, tested the center backs' mettle. Deprived of the ball, with no option for a counterattack, the San Sebastian team suffered as anyone suffers away from home in the Champions League. Among other reasons because its second unit does not reach, for now, the excellence of the most common ones. However, nothing can be objected to the way in which he managed to shut down the party. The last play, with Remiro's fists and a string of clearances in the fifth minute of added time, was the most powerful example of realistic concentration.