Real Sociedad are a team that usually starts off strong in LaLiga every season, but this year, they had a hard time clinching their first win in the domestic competition. Nonetheless, after their first league victory, the squad managed by Imanol Alguacil adopted a meteoric progression, showing a superb level in LaLiga and the Champions League.
Real Sociedad’s roster is undoubtedly the most complete they have had in recent years. With the arrivals of Traoré and Tierney to reinforce the full-back positions, the Basque side fixed one of its pending flaws and notably increased the rosters level in one of its weaker facets.
In addition, the present campaign began with the loss of David Silva due to an injury (that led to his retirement), which was terrible news for Spanish football in general. However, players like Brais Méndez or Take Kubo, who already stood out last season, have taken a step forward, as in the case of the Japanese, he is kicking the door down this year.
The core of their roster is already well established and is still young. Players like Remiro, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino or Oyarzabal have played at a great level for many seasons, but are also proving that they are, at least, as talented as they seemed.
The start of the season has also brought good news with it. Ander Barrenetxea is tearing it up, showing that he is more than talented enough to start in a team with players of such quality. A roster filled with academy players who are given lots of minutes and others who, on paper, look great as well, like Pacheco, Turrientes and the former Barça player, Robert Navarro, who is currently loaned out to Cádiz and also has formidable technical qualities.
The importance of a great manager:
It is obvious that the talent of the players is there, but in the case of Real Sociedad, it is clear that Imanol Alguacil has a lot to do with the performance of some of his pupils.
One of the most evident cases is that of Take Kubo. The Japanese had been loaned out to Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe, teams in which he bascially went unnoticed. He always showed promise, but it was the Basque manager that got the very best out of Take’s strengths. This season, Take has already recorded four league goals and is establishing himself as one of the undisputed faces of the championship.
Another example of Alguacil’s great work with his players is Brais Méndez, a man who seemed very inconsistent in Vigo, who left flashes of his talent, but also went completely unnoticed for the whole match in many occasions.
Not only did Imanol bet on his signing, but he also turned him into a much more aggressive player, capable of making a difference in multiple scenarios, as he has already scored two goals in the present edition of the Champions League.
The good work of Real Sociedad’s coach with the younger player has taken the team to a new level. There are even more cases like that of Barrenetxea or Le Normand. However, the most notable example is Martín Zubimendi.
The young pivot has become one of the best players in his position in the entirety of Europe. He is the key factor in the team’s bulid up play and an extension of his manager on the pitch. Without a shadow of a doubt, Alguacil’s greatest ‘creation’.
This Real Sociedad is a team with a very attractive style of play, very interesting young players and vey well managed tactically. All of it in the year they finally returned to the Champions League.
Will they manage to qualify for next year’s edition?
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: @RealSociedad.
At ELXIIDEAL we have a great opportunity to advertise your business via our website and social media network.
