Celta Vigo 0 - 0 Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo played out a goaless draw today at the Estadio Balaidos on a rain soaked pitch. Real Sociedad had the better of the first half chances with Carlos Martinez coming close for the visitors. In the second half last weeks goalscoring hero was replaced by Daniel Estrada and nearly scored as he was put through on goal but Notario in goal saved well at his feet. Dinei then nearly scored for the hosts with a header from a corner but it went past the post. After the hour mark the pace of the game stepped up as both teams looked to score and on 63 minutes Xabi Prieto was brought on for Marcos and immediately positioned himself just behind Necati up front. Soon after on 71 minutes coach Lillo threw on another striker as Agirretxe replaced Moha. Celta replied by also throwing on another striker and the game began to open up with first Necati almost snatching a winner then Rosada for Celta going close. In the end both teams had to settle for a draw and for Real Sociedad fans their were plenty signals that the teams form is continuing to improve and must go down as a point gained rather than two lost. Please see below for the highlights of the match.

CELTA: Notario, Edu Moya, Ruben, Pena, Fajardo, Rosada, Michu, Oscar Diaz, Trashorras (Dani Abalo, 73 mins), Ghilès (David, 81 mins) and Dinei.

REAL SOCIEDAD: Bravo, Carlos Martinez, Labaka, Mikel Gonzalez, Castillo (Estrada, 46 mins), Gerardo Rivas, Aranburu, Moha (Agirretxe, 71 mins), Marcos (Xabi Prieto, 63 mins) and Necati.

Attendance - 6,998.

Team News For Celta Match

Good news for Real Sociedad - Xabi Prieto returns! It was what fans were hoping for and coach Lillo talked about it yesterday but today it was announced he would definitely be travelling with the 18 man squad after 2 months out with a knee injury. He managed to come through another training session this morning behind closed doors and is a huge boost for the team. This means young midfielder Illarramendi who was in the squad for lasts weeks game against Huesca, will drop to the B team.

The squad for the match against Celta Vigo -

- Goalkeepers: Bravo, Zubikarai.

- Defenders: Carlos Martínez, Gerardo, Labaka, Ansotegi, Mikel González, Castillo.

- Midfielders: Estrada, Xabi Prieto, Markel, Aranburu, Rivas, Zurutuza, Moha, Marcos.

- Strikers: Necati, Agirretxe.

Coach Lillo talks About Prieto

"My aim is to bring him to Vigo" - One of the quotes made by Coach Lillo today as he made his weekly appearance before the media. Clearly this is a massive boost for the squad as one can assume if he comes through training tommorow without any glitches, he will travel with the squad to face Celta Vigo.

He also spoke of Celta Vigo, a team that lost their first 3 games of the season, but hasn't lost since. He said he doesn't believe the cup match will serve as any indication as to how the game on Saturday will go. He also spoke of Necati Ates, a player who has yet to score for Real Sociedad. He stressed the contribution of Necati, like that of Iñigo Díaz de Cerio, goes far beyond just scoring goals.

Mikel Labanka also spoke to the press and stated "we are going for the 3 points" against Celta Vigo. He added "the club cannot hope to climb the table adding point by point. Thats why against Celta Vigo we go for the three points". He also recognized that the return of Xabi Prieto to the group is good news for the team. "After so many weeks without being able to count on him, to see him recovering and training with the rest of his companions is good. While it has an impact on the form of the team, despite the heavy casualties it has suffered, we are just three points from the positions of promotion".

Claudio Bravo And Moha Speak To Press

Claudio Bravo has appeared in the press room of Zubieta after completing training today. He stated that although he was very happy with the weekend victory, he warned against complacency as the league is still very tight with many teams chasing the three promotion places. The Chilean international again kept a clean sheet against Huesca and Real Sociedad have the second best defensive record in the league, a statistic which reflects the excellent work of the defence.


With Real Sociedad due to play Celta Vigo on Saturday Moha was in a reflective mood as he spoke to the press. He played in the last meeting between the sides and was keen to point out their motivation would not be revenge for the cup elimination but rather to consolidate the teams position in the top half of the league. "The Cup left a bad taste in your mouth, they were better than us, and I would like to play a good game, but especially to bring us the three points home. The cup is already in the past, we have to concentrate on the league. "

Xabi Prieto Closer To Fitness

Xabi Prieto spoke to the press today and was in very high spirits after coming through a full training session unscathed. He did train last week but today was the first time he has trained with the squad since his injury. "I very much want to enjoy football, playing, running, to do the usual", although he has admitted that "I am still feeling something, but that's ok, a nuisance that will disappear. I finished very happy." He was asked if he would be ready for the Celta Vigo game - "I suppose it is too early, but we'll see how the week goes. Now i have to get fit and get rhythm."

Midfielder Aranburu also spoke to the press today and believes the team has "won a lot" with the victory over Huesca and looks at the game on Saturday against Celta Vigo as a great opportunity to extend the streak. He did however mention that Ceta Vigo themselves are on a great run of form and in his opinion they are the best opponent Real Sociedad have faced this season with reference to the 2-0 Copa Del Rey defeat to them in October. With both players sounding confident it can only be good for the club and proves how vital the victory over Huesca was.

Real Sociedad 1-0 Huesca

Real Sociedad moved within 3 points of the promotion places today with a 1-0 victory over Huesca which also seen the first victory at the Anoeta for 2 months. Real Sociedad had most of the ball in the first half but found it difficult to breach the Huesca defence. The first chance came in the 20th minute when Necati was brought down in the box but the referee deemed the challenge to be legal. Real Sociedad continued to press but the attacks lacked speed and penetration.

The 2nd half started the way the 1st ended with the home team probing for openings and Estrada nearly scored after latching onto a Necati cross but Edu closed him down well. The winning goal came in the 72nd minute and what a goal it was! Xabier Castillo ran onto the ball from 35 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable first-time shot into the net with his left foot to send the home support into raptures and surely put down a marker for goal of the season (see below). Aranburu nearly doubled the lead seconds later only to be denied by Edu in goal.

Necati Ates, who many fans are looking to as a natural replacement for the injured de Cerio recieved a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 81st minute. He dazzled the home support with some great pieces of individual play and it surely can't be long before he gets his first goal for the club.

Real Sociedad managed to hold on for all 3 points despite a late rally by Huesca and can now look forward to next weeks game against Celta Vigo with great optimism.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Gerardo, Mikel Gonzalez, Labaka, Castillo, Markel, Aranburu, Moha (Agirretxe, 63 mins), Estrada (Rivas, 88 mins), Marcos, Necati (Zurutuza, 81 mins).

Huesca: Edu; Borrego, Dorado, Roberto, Ripa (Ramón, 46 mins); Sobregau, Jose (Rodri, 80 mins), Helguera, Edu Roldán, Jon Erice (Felipe Manoel, 75 mins); Nico Medina.

Attendance - 17,232.

Next match - 29/11/08 Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad

Click play to view Castillo' screamer!

Real Sociedad Team News

Today Real Sociedad completed a week of preparation for tomorrows match against Huesca at the Anoeta Stadium. Todays training session was carried out behind closed doors in light rain.

Fifteen players will be at coach Lillo's disposal including three youth players - Agirretxe, Zurutuza and Illarramendi. One player who hasn't made up the numbers is midfielder Sergio who picked up an injury in training yesterday. He went for an ultrasound this morning and it was revealed he has a broken fibrillar. The extent of the injury will be found out on Monday. This is the second first team player to pull out of the squad after the injury to Dramé on Thursday.

The squad for the match against Huesca -

- Goalkeepers: Bravo, Zubikarai.
- Defenders: Carlos Martínez, Gerardo, Labaka, Ansotegi, Mikel González, Castillo.
- Midfielders: Estrada, Rivas, Markel, Aranburu, Illarramendi, Zurutuza, Moha, Marcos.
- Forwards: Necati, Agirretxe.

The player will have the day off on Monday and return to training Tuesday.

Coach Lillo Wants 19 Points!

Coach Lillo met the media this morning before the penultimate weekly meeting with the players in which he declared "we have an obligation to add 19 points" and has reminded Huesca that the goal hasn't changed despite many setbacks. He went on to say "the demand historically makes us feel obligated!" He went to say that with all the off field problems that have been going on lately the club should be measured on the pitch and not the headlines. The off-field problems being the threat of bankrupsy currently hanging over the club. At the same time he went on to mention the "good vibes" currently within the players at training recently.

Regarding the meeting on Sunday, Lillo believes that the absence of speedy striker Ruben Castro will weaken Huesca although "it is a team that knows how to play" he commented. "What is clear is that if Real Sociedad wins, they will move above Huesca in the league and it will reap the possibility of two victories in succession, which is complex even for Zaragoza". "But winning two happens by winning the first" coach Lillo added.

Real Sociedad Injury Update

Yesterday afternoon Iñigo Diaz de Cerio was seen to by the medical staff at the club after suffering intense pain in his operated leg. It required further surgery and he will remain in the clinic for the next couple of days. This incidence does not alter the anticipated plan of recovery.

Boukary Dramé the defender on loan from FC Sochaux has suffered a “pull” in bottom region of left thigh during training this morning. The initial prognosis is the injury will settle down in the course of the next 48 hours but is now doubtful for the game against Huesca. Like Necati Ates, injury's have severely hampered his season so far.

Eñaut Zubikarai did not train either after an inflammation in the mouth casued by problems with a wisdom tooth. Its hoped by him taking anti-inflammatory treatment he can return to training in the next 24-48 hours.

In other news, The President of Real Sociedad, Inaki Badiola, has appeared before the media this afternoon to announce the renewal of the sponsorship agreement with Telefonica. The presentation was held in the press room of Anoeta and the Txuri Urdin leader was accompanied by two leaders of the company, Venancio Etxeberria and Ander Perez. This will be the fifth consecutive year the company has worked with the club.

Estrada and Necati Ates In Positive Mood

After having the day off yesterday from training the lads were back at the Zubieta training ground today to begin the build up to the weekends game against Huesca and Daniel Estrada and Necati Ates were talking to the media.

Estrada believes that it is time to recover the strength in Anoeta: "You cannot escape the points before the Huesca, it is time to win at home. The objective is ascend and for that we have to win, take continuity and thus move up".

Necati Ates has assured everyone in the press room of Zubieta he felt well during the 90 minutes against Tenerife. Although he has not scored for Real Sociedad he is aware of the responsibility he has, however he is not obssesed with it: "I do not mind that the team increase to the First Division without me scoring a goal. What is important is the team".

Mikel Alonso Leaves Real Sociedad

Today the club announced they have agreed a financial deal with midfielder Mikel Alonso to end the players 2 year contract. The player spent last season on loan to English Premier side Bolton Wanderers and was not registered by Real Sociedad at the start of the season for the 2008/09 campaign. During the summer of this year he went on trial to Olympiakos however he returned to the club after failing to win a permanent move. Alonso leaves having played 104 times for the club and scoring 2 goals. All the best Mikel.

Tenerife 1 - 1 Real Sociedad

The victory Real Sociedad were looking for to climb the table never materialised this afternoon in the Heliodoro Stage Rodriguez Lopez as both teams scored in the last 4 minutes of the game to draw 1-1. The Real Sociedad players paid tribute to Iñigo Diaz de Cerio before the game by carrying t-shirts of support for their injured team-mate.

Tenerife looked the more dangerous in the first half with Real Sociedad looking to hit them on the counter-attack. Necti Ates and Aranburu combined well at times and Moha was lively but Tenerife pressured the Real Sociedad rearguard time after time. In the second half it was Tenerife again who looked more likely to score and Bravo pulled off a fantastic save before Rivas made a goal line clearance. Coach Lilo made two changes with on loan Marcos replacing Moha (66 mins) and Agirretxe repacing Sergio in the hope they could provide a new attacking dimention. Kome and Nino went close again for Tenerife and with the game heading for a draw, Real Sociedad hearts were broken when the former Espanyol full back Marc Beltrán gave the hosts the lead in the 86th minute after dribbling past two defenders to leave Bravo in goal helpless. When it seemed Tenerife would be getting all three points, Real Sociedad pulled off a miracle when in the 3rd minute of injury time, a corner was headed in by central defender Labaka much to the relief of the travelling support. With that the referee blew for full-time and under the circumstances it will have to be looked on as a point gained rather than two lost.


CD Tenerife: Sergio Aragonese; Bertrán, Manolo Martinez, Moon, Héctor; Ricardo, Oscar Perez (Ayoze, min. 62), Juanlu, Kome (Angel, 71 mins); Alfaro (Saizar, 87 mins), Boy

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Gerardo, Mikel González, Labaka, Castillo, Markel, Rivas, Aranburu, Sergio (Agirretxe, 74 mins), Moha (Marcos, 66 mins); Necati.

Juan Manuel Lillo Issues Rally Cry!

Coach Lillo was the latest member of the Real Sociedad camp to face the media today as the build up to Sunday's clash with Tenerife continues. With the club having one of its hardest in modern times with the injury to Díaz de Cerio, the clubs court appearances and the 1,000 Euros fine the club received after a fan hit coach Lillo on the head with a bottle at the end of the Eibar game, people would be forgiven for thinking the Tenerife game was the furthest thing from the players minds, however as Lillo explained, this couldn't be further from reality. He said if the club wanted to be spoken about in a football context rather than in a negative light, the best way is to win! He went on to say Real Sociedad need to be pushing the top of the league and a victory would see them go above Tenerife. Also, Lillo recognizes that there is a double motive to fight for the three points. "If there is a party that want to win, its us", in a clear reference to the team wanting to win and dedicate the victory to stricken star Díaz De Cerio.

In other news goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as been called up by Chile for the friendly against Spain on Wednesday in Villareal. He will fly to Villareal straight from Tenerife after the game on Sunday to meet up with his International colleagues.

Tenerife Vs Real Sociedad Preview

Looking ahead to the weekend fixture against Tenerife its becoming clear the players are fired up to put in a performance despite being without their injured goalscorer Iñigo Diaz de Cerio. Indeed both central defenders Mikel Labaka and Mikel González spoke today to the press after a behind closed doors training session. Labaka stressed it was important not to dwell on whats happened before but to focus on the league games ahead. González spoke in a similar fashion stating "To rise would not be a miracle, its the objective".

It certainly seems like the players are motivated to succeed but only time will tell if Iñigo Diaz de Cerio's absense will seriously affect the club's expected promotion push. A victory at the weekend would be the lift the club desperately needs after a diffcult week.

Diaz De Cerio Injury Update

Iñigo Diaz de Cerio was released from hospital yesterday after his nasty leg break at the weekend and immediately gave a press conference to talk of his injury. He seemed in high spirits as he thanked supporters for the messages of support he has received and due to the vast amount he received, he wasn't able to read all of them.
He optimistcally revealed that although he will be out of action for a long time, he hasn't set any dates for his recovery but has no doubt he will return just as strong as he was. He went on to reveal he could recall the moment of the injury and indeed did not feel any pain or any sound of the leg breaking but when he looked at his leg he realised he "was going to be a long while without playing". In a relaxed tone he finished the press conference by declaring he wants the team to score a victory over Tenerife in the next match and dedicate the victory to him. The video below is from the press conference and although my non Spanish speaking readers won't understand it the short clip shows the player is in good spirits which is great to see.

Real Sociedad 0 - 0 Eibar

Round 11 of matches took place at the weekend and Real Sociedad were at home to local rivals Eibar. Most people were expecting a home victory however the hosts were frustrated by the visitors dogged defending and ultimately had to accept 1 point instead of 3 to see them move up to 10th in the league.

The disappointment was overshadowed however by the news that star striker Iñigo Díaz de Cerio who has scored 4 goals so far this season, broke his leg during the match in the 60th minute. This is a massive blow for the clubs promotion ambition and with a lack of strikers already at the club, it means even more responsibility on the shoulders of Turkish loan signing Necati Ates who is close to match fitness. In the wake of the news about Iñigo Díaz de Cerio's injury Ates announced to the press "I am prepared". He went on to say that although he felt responsibility before, he is conscious now their is now more responsiblity to score the goals.

With Iñigo Díaz de Cerio's contract up next summer the Real Sociedad board have announced that they feel he is an indispensable player for Real Sociedad due to his human and soccer values and have assured fans of the club they have offered him a new contract to keep him beyond next summer.


Next match - Tenerife Vs Real Sociedad - 16/11/08.

Welcome To Real Sociedad News

Hi there and welcome to Real Sociedad News. The creation of this has been born out of the sheer frustration that as a fan of Real Sociedad its currently near impossible to find anything on the web in English on my beloved team. On this blog i will endeavour to bring all the latest news and results and i hope you can get involved and post your comments.

Although i'm Scottish i have always followed the club's fortunes from a distance and have been to see them on two occasions and will hopefully make it three next year. It all started when i was taken to my first ever football match. The game was Dundee United Vs Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly. The enormity of the occasion stuck and my love for the two aforementioned teams grew. On this blog i will endeavour to bring all the latest news and results and i hope you can get involved and post your comments.