President Apperibay Speaks To Press

"Our challenge is the survival of the Real Sociedad". The sharp and straight to the point words from the Real Sociedad President today as he spoke to the press with Councilor Jesus Ruiz and the lawyer Jose Luis Martinez, an expert in bankruptcy proceedings. He began by stating three key messages he considers to be most important - economic survival, social cohesion and maximum support to staff and the technical team. He said the current economic situation with the club is "very critical". Looking on the brighter side of things he said it was one of the last opportunity's for unity and went on to praise the "tremendous efforts" made by the players in recent months, but asked them to fight for one more goal to advance to the First Division.

"Our challenge is the survival of the Real Sociedad, its economic and social regeneration," Aperribay said. He also announced a loss of 10 million for the year 2008-09 so "an urgent emergency plan" has been put into place. The club faces a massive challenge as it must pass a budget that will turn these losses into profits in order to keep with the agreement of creditors and avoid liquidation.

The press conference ended with questions from journalists and one of the key points to come out of it was Apperibay announcing no players will be sold in January and he will be looking to renew contracts for Castillo, Markel, De Cerio and Zubikarai.

Today final preparations were taking place for tomorrows friendly against SD Eibar. It will take place in the town of San Miguel and is designed to keep up the momentum and match sharpness ahead of the weekend game against Cordoba. Coach Lillo intends to play a different eleven players for each half and as such has called up 22 players -

Goalkeepers: Zubikarai, Iturrioz.

Defenders: Carlos Martinez, Gerardo, Labaka, Mikel González, Cadamuro, Ansotegi, Castillo, Dramé.

Midfielders: Estrada, Xabi Prieto, Rivas, Aranburu, Ros, Illarramendi, Mark, Zurutuza, Moha, Sergio.

Forwards: Necati, Agirretxe.

Squad To Return To Training On Monday

With the Real Sociedad squad currently enjoying their festive break it will be back to business on Monday as the squad returns to training in preparation for the 4th January game away to Cordoba. To keep the players match fit they will have a double-session on Tuesday followed by a friendly against local rivals SD Eibar on Wednesday (new years eve. there will be no rest either on new years day as a morning training session is also planned. The squad are no doubt looking to carry forward the good form they were in leading up to Christmas and take it into the new year as all focus will be on promotion to Liga BBVA.

One player who will be returning to training later than the rest of the squad is Chilean International goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. He will hook up with the squad on January 1st as Coach Lillo allowed him to return home to Chile to be with his family over the festive period and took into consideration travelling time.

In other news striker Iñigo Díaz de Cerio has spoken to Marca.com and has revealed new President Aperribay has contacted him and declared he would like to start discussions on a new contract as the players current one expires in June - "my first option is Real Sociedad, but the club is in the greatest crisis in its history and will have to be see what happens". He also revealed his recovery is going well and that he is spending almost the entire day working on the machines at the gym.

With the current problems at the club it would be a massive boost if Iñigo Díaz de Cerio signed a new contract as he is a Real Sociedad man through and through and to lose him for no fee would be a huge blow.

Real Sociedad Has A New President

it was announced over the weekend that Jokin Aperribay has replaced Inaki Badiola after recieving the majority vote during the first meeting by the new Board of Directors. News has been met with a mixed response as Badiola was very popular with the fans but Aperrinbay will remain for a maximum of two and a half years until new elections are held at the end of the bankruptsy process. The new President has already met with Coach Lillo and Loren. One can only hope Real Sociedad can make it through these tough times with the current economic problems that are happening and the fact they are in the 2nd division not helping matters.

Real Sociedad 1-0 Salamanca

Real Sociedad beat Salamanca 1-0 this afternoon thanks to a goal in the 2nd minute of injury time from central defender Ansotegi to sent the Anoeta into raptures and finish 2008 on a massive high!

Salamanca started the match the more attacking of the 2 teams and twice Bravo was forced into making good saves. It was clear from the opening exchanges Real Sociedad had a massive amount of respect for the visitors but as the first half went on the home side started to get a grip on the game and began to dominate. Shortly before halftime Salamanca were dealt a huge blow when Botelho was sent off for a second bookable offence.

At the start of the second half Coach Lillo looked to take advantage of the extra man and brought on Sergio to replace Rivas to add an extra spark to the attack. Jorge Alonso had a good free-kick effort for Salamanca but apart from that it was all Real Sociedad doing the attacking. Agirretxe, Labaka, Aranburu and on two occassions Necati Ates all went close to scoring but couldn't find the net. Just when it looked like it would end in a nil nil draw the ball was lofted hopefully into the box and Ansotegi was the hero as he rose to head into the net to sent the crowd into raptures. The relief on the players faces was obvious to see and the victory now lifts the club back up into the mix for promotion places.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Gerardo (Carlos Martinez, 90 mins), Labaka, Ansotegi, Castillo, Rivas (Sergio, 46 mins), Bergara, Aranburu, Xabi Prieto, Estrada (Agirretxe, 69 mins), Necati.

Salamanca: Alberto; Castro, Carlos (Sito, 50 mins), Pelegrín, Botelho; Bustos, Jorge Alonso, Dañobeitia, Cohen (Luciano, 46 mins), Isaac (Toti, 82 mins); Miku.

Attendance - 17,132.

Real Sociedad vs Salamanca Preview

The squad completed the penultimate training session this morning in preperation for Saturdays match against top of the table Salamanca. The good news for fans is Mikel González and Sergio return to the squad from injury's and captain Aranburu has finished his suspension. This means there is only room for two youth players to make up the 18 man squad with Agirretxe and Zurutuza taking the places.

Yesterday Xabi Prieto spoke to the press and said the team was looking to put in another performance like they did last week against Albacete. Although it ended in defeat for Real Sociedad, he feels it was the best performance of the season and believes the team were unlucky not to win the match.

Squad for Salamanca game:-

- Goalkeepers: Bravo, Zubikarai.

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

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

- Strikers: Necati, Agirretxe.

Necati And Aranburu Speak To Press

Turkish striker Necati Ates spoke to the press today and announced - "I have the same confidence". He says he has full confidence in his game and isn't letting his lack of goals get to him. He even claimed he still believes he can score 15 goals before the campaign is over. In the last match against Albacete the striker had a few chances to break his duck but was thwarted with his efforts. He also said Albacete were lucky to win the match - "I couldn't believe it. It seemed that they had won a championship or something."

Midfield dynamo Aranburu also spoke to the press and said a win agains't table topping Salamanca is "very important if we want to cut the distance". Salamanca are currently 8 points ahead but would be cut to just 5 with a win. He went on to say he believes if the squad can stay clear of any more injuries then they are very capable of gaining promotion.

Albacete 2-1 Real Sociedad

Diego Costa snatched an 89th minute winner for Albacete in this evenings match to win 2-1 and inflict a painful defeat on Real Sociedad. Indeed the defeat was all the more painfull considering how well Real Sociedad had played, especially in the second half and at the very least deserved a draw. Albacete took the lead on 16 minutes when a cross from Jaime deceived Bravo in goal and hit the back of the net after Mainz looked like he would make contact. Real Sociedad responce was excellent and Necati Ates went close on two occasions and were unlucky to go into the interval behind.

Early in the second half Real Sociedad got a deserved equaliser. A clever turn inside the area from Xabi Prieto ended with him squaring the ball for Marcos to hit home and Prieto should be very happy to assist another goal after he did the same last week for Aranburu. For most of the second half possession was even and play raged from end to end. Near the end Necat Ates could have fired in the winner however afer being played through on goal however his blasted shot was saved well by Cabrero in goal from a narrow angle. Then came the sucker punch. The ball was played into the Real Sociedad danger area and Markel tried to clear with a header only for it to skim off his head and into the path of Diego Costa who slammed the ball past Bravo to steal all three points. The evening got even worse for the visitors when the goalscorer Marcos was dismissed for his second bookable offence. The men from San Sebastian's great run has come to an end.

Albacete:- Cabrero, Kike, Trotta, Mainz, Pena, Kitok, Xavi Jimenez (Mark Navas, 73 mins), Verza, Alberto (Diego Costa, 46 mins), Jaime; and Merino (Belencoso, 80 mins)

R. Sociedad:- Bravo; Gerardo, Ansotegi, Labaka, Castillo, Markel, Rivas, Xabi Prieto (Aguirretxe, 80 mins), Marcos, Moha (Estrada, 87 mins); Necati.

Albacete vs Real Sociedad Team News

The squad completed training this morning behind closed doors in final preparation for the away trip to Albacete tomorrow. The 2 hours was pent mainly focusing on tactical and strategic points. The eighteen man squad will have four places for promoted youth players - defender Esnaola, midfielders Illarramendi and Mutriku and finally striker Agirretxe. In particular Mutriku has been chosen as a replacement for the suspended Aranburu who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last week. Carlos Martinez returns from his foot injury and although Sergio has returned to training he isn't ready to be included in the squad.

Squad to face Alicante:-

- Goalkeepers: Bravo, Zubikarai.

- Defenders: Carlos Martinez, Gerardo, Labaka, Esnaola, Ansotegi, Castillo.

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

- Forwards: Agirretxe, Necati.

Coach Lillo Wants 6 Points Before Xmas

Coach Lillo held his weekly press conference this morning after the penultimate Zubieta training session of the week. He admitted the squad was excited about the possibility if adding another three points against Albacete. Regards the squad for the match he is very happy Carlos Martinez has recovered from his injury and Xabi Prieto is ready to start from the beginning of the match. He said he believes in the 18 man squad and doesn't see the youth players as just fillers but rather players who can add an extra punch. In particular youth players Kitok, Jaime, Merino and Diego Costa.

Lillo also took the opportunity to defend the work done by Technical Director Loren after yesterdays comments from President Badiola (see below). "I work closely with him and i'm very proud to. He is very capable, knows what to do and puts the clubs interests above personal interests".

In other news a press-conference was held yesterday by Real Sociedad President Inaki Badiola where he called for the resignation of Mr. Ibargutxi, administrator for Real Sociedad. "It's hard to live with someone who is against us" said the president.
Also, after viewing pictures of some of the game between Malaga and Tenerife last June 15, Badiola said "we want to go to the end" on the issue of the alleged purchase of the game by the Malaga CF. He also raised issues he has had with Technical Director Loren. He revealed "recent signings in which he has overseen have not been as successful we thought." He also said he couldn't agree with Loren when it came to the issue of Mikel Alonso, who recently ended his contract with the club. He finished by saying Loren had participated in meetings againt the council - "If you're with others can not be with us." Time will tell if Loren is in his position for much longer.

Gorka Elustondo's Injury Latest

The squad don't normally train on a Monday however with morale high in the squad and a very important away match on Saturday to Albacete the squad are preparing earlier this week to keep the momentum going.

The process of recovery from injury is going well a happy Gorka Elustondo declared yesterday as he returned to training with the first team squad. He did reveal to the press though that its a slow process and won't be rushing back in a hurry as he doesn't want to aggrevate it and make it bad again.

Turkish Striker Necat Ates also spoke to the press and joked about referee's by saying "Do they not want me to score goals?". This was with reference to the goal that was disallowed on Saturday and the fact he has yet to score for Real Sociedad - "If the referee has seen the images, he will be sick". He has also advised he feels "very happy when the team wins and when we play in Anoeta".

Real Sociedad 1-0 Alicante

Real Sociedad remain unbeaten since October after a crucial win this afternoon against Alicante with a goal in the 64th minute from midfielder Mikel Aranburu. Spearheaded by a strikeforce of Necati and Agirretxe the home team started very strongly and had a series of dangerous corners cleared and a penalty appeal after ths ball appeared to strike a defenders hand but as the first half went on Real's attacks were becoming more timid despite dictating the play. The first half ended with a Necati shot that was saved by Unanue in the Alicante goal.

The second half started as the first ended with the home side continuing to probe for an opening. Agirretxe went close with a couple of efforts. In 58 minutes Real Sociedad made two changes with Marcos replacing Moha and Prieto replacing Estrada and it was Prieto on 64 minutes that set up Aranburu for the winning goal with a pinpoint cross that was duly headed in. Alicante not surprisingly went on the hunt for an equaliser and forced Bravo into two saves before Necati had a header ruled out for being offside although television pictures show the Turkish striker was clearly onside when the ball hit the back of the net. Real survived a late Alicante spell of pressure to earn three valuable points and climb up to 6th in the league.

Real Sociedad: Bravo, Gerardo, Labaka, Ansotegi, Castillo; Bergara, Aranburu, Estrada (Xabi Prieto, 58 mins), Moha (Marcos, 58 mins); Agirretxe (Rivas, 71 mins) and Necati.

Alicante: Unanue; Blanco, Castells, German, Rubiales; Ismael, Abel Buades, Azkoitia, Catalá (German, 62 mins), Miñano (Peragón, 75 mins) and Pedro.

Attendance - 14,174.

Real Sociedad vs Alicante Team News

The squad completed training this morning behind closed doors as final preperations for tomorrows game against Alicante were complete. As expected the 18 man squad will not include injured centre back Mikel Gonzalez so youth player Josu Esnaola has been called into the squad to cover with Ansotegi expected to partner Labaka in defence. Two other youth players included are Zurutuza and striker Agirretxe.

Squad for Alicante match:-

- Goalkeepers: Bravo, Zubikarai.

- Defenders: Carlos Martinez, Gerardo, Labaka, Esnaola, Ansotegi, Castillo.

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

- Forwards: Necati, Agirretxe.

Before the match tomorrow the team will commemorate Aitor Zabaleta by holding a series of events before the match as it will be the tenth anniversary of his death on Monday. Aitor Zabaleta, who was 28, was chased by a group of right-wing Atletico fans and then stabbed in the chest shortly before the UEFA Cup third-round, second-leg encounter in Madrid, which Atletico won 4-1 after extra time. Zabaleta was rushed to hospital, but died of his wounds nine hours later.

The players will wear t-shirts bearing his name before the match and will be followed by a minutes silence for Zabaleta, Ignacio Uria, a businessman shot dead on Wednesday, and Mikel Laboa, a popular singer and songwriter from Basque Country who died on Monday.

Lillo - "Our Aim For Saturday Is To Win"

Cooach Lillo gave his weekly press conference this morning and revealed he wanted to only talk about the match on Saturday but revealed "I have many desires to know what has happened". This is with reference to the matter with Jesuli after the events of this week dominated the headlines but pointed out his one and only priority - "Our aim for Saturday is to win".

Mikel González is a doubt for the match and will undergo a fitness test this afternoon to see if he can play. Lillo revealed though if González was to miss the match he has full confidence in Ansotegi to replace him. He went on to say a victory is necessary if the club is to keep pace with the teams above them and if they were to fall more than seven points adrift of the promotion places it would be a worrying distance.

Spanish Federation Wants Prosecutors To Probe Match-fixing Claims

The latest developments on the match fixing story that i posted yesterday is the Spanish football federation today asked prosecutors to investigate reports that players from second-division club Tenerife were bribed to lose a match to allow Malaga to be promoted to the top flight.

Meanwhile Sports Minister Jaime Lissaveztky declined to comment Wednesday, saying it was best to let judicial authorities decide first. Lissaveztky said the government and the Spanish league are working on a new law to help combat fraud in football. "We're determined to fight together against anything related to suspected corruption and which mars sporting values," he said.

With the story currently gripping Spain it would be easy for the players to get distracted but full back Gerardo spoke to the press this morning and announced "we are thinking Alicante, Alicante, Alicante - nothing more".

On the injury front there was good news as Xabi Castillo returned to training after being forced off at half-time during the Celta match. He should be fit for the weekends match and told the press "the point gained against Celta Vigo will be a good one if we win against Alicante, the way we get the victory is secondary at the moment whether it be a penaly or in the last minute, i do not care."

Jesuli Denies Match-fixing Allegation

A story has been brought to my attention that has been gripping Spain over the last 2 days and i felt it my duty to report it here as it involves Real Sociedad.

In Monday's edition of 'El Mundo' newspaper it reported that former Tenerife midfielder Jesús 'Jesuli' Antonio Mora Nieto has admitted to Real Sociedad president, Iñaki Badiola, that he and the rest of the Tenerife players were each paid 6,000 euros to lose the final game of last season to ensure that their opponents, Málaga FC, secured promotion to the first division. Málaga won the game 2-1 with Tenerife's only goal coming in the final minute when Welington put through his own net. Numancia finished as champions with 77 points with Numancia and Sporting Gijón also going up with 72 points. Real Sociedad finished fourth with 68 points.

This allegation was later backed up with an audio recording released onto the internet, in which Jesuli can plainly be heard in the following exchange:
Badiola: "How much would it cost? I mean, in your case you were paid to lose this match? It's just to know, I don't have any experience on this, how much did it cost for us not to get promoted?"
Jesuli: "I tell you, honestly ... that I don't remember. But ... it really annoyed me to take that money."
Badiola: "€5,000, €7,000?"
Jesuli: "Yes, around that. If it wasn't €7,000 it was €6,000."

Yesterday Jesuli issued a statement via his legal representatives denying the claims and argues that, given that he was in Sevilla on the day in question recovering from a broken nose, it is "absurd" to claim that anyone should have paid him to influence the outcome of the game. He goes on to say that the telephone conversation between himself and Real Sociedad president quoted in the article, Iñaki Badiola, was taken out of context and had been recorded and published without his permission. Adding that he regards match-fixing as "inexcusable and wicked," the player's statement ends by saying that he is considering legal action against the journalist responsible.

Badiola has since came out and spoken to Radio Marca and is in no doubt that the premium payment was arranged by the Malaga club hierarchy, comprising the Sanz family who once had control over Real Madrid. "We have nothing against the Malaga club, nor the city," he said. "But we believe that the Sanz family, especially Fernando and Lorenzo Sanz, are habitual crooks and cheats, and they're not fit to lead the club in this way."We hope that justice will be served and this is what we call for." Also he alleges that the premium payment took place with the "knowledge" of the players involved and that "all Tenerife players" received it.

Fernando Sanz has came out and denied the allegations after being called a criminal. "If in twenty-four hours Jesuli does not retract what he said then Malaga will submit a complaint," he declared. "Malaga have nothing to do with this and we will not allow anyone to place our club and squad in doubt." He also had something to say about the Real Sociedad president - "Their president is going above and beyond what should be doing," he said." He created false expectations there, and the bankruptcy administrators recommended that he not lead the club because it's heading towards disappearance. "This is just a smokescreen," he added, confirming that he is speaking to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to express his "deepest concern about this gentleman's behaviour."

Tenerife have come out fighting and reacted angrily to whats happening. They stated their "absolute shock" at allegations that they "neither admit to nor tolerate."Club president Miguel Concepcion further added that if Real Sociedad had any concerns then a courtroom is the correct place to raise them."The confidence of our board in the squad is total," he went on.He also spoke out on Badiola's accusation against Tenerife captain Juanma Delgado, who was fingered as the alleged ringleader on the Tenerife end."I hope he has evidence for that, because if he doesn't then this will be taken very badly."

I will continue to follow this story closely as it unfolds and will update when any new information is released.

Xabi Prieto Expects To Climb Table Before Christmas

After being out of action for 2 months it was great news for Real Sociedad fans that Xabi Prieto got over half an hour of action under his belt in Saturdays game against Celta Vigo. Today he spoke to the press and said "i'm happy to be back and fell no ill effects" and also indicated he is ready to play a full 90 minutes. During the month of December Real Sociedad will play at home twice, firstly against second from bottom Alicante followed by an away trip to Albacete and then finishing Decembers schedule at home to Salamanca. Xabi feels its more than possible to climb the table before the end of the year - "If we have three positive results before Christmas, this will move us up. It will not be impossible to win the two at home then sneak something away".

Necati Ates told the press today "each day i feel better, i like to fight to the last moment". Necati hasn't found the back of the net yet for the club and knows their is responsibility but no-one at the club can doubt the effort and sacrifice he makes for the team. He went on to echo Prieto's comments - "the club has the ability to rise to the top of the league".

Only time will tell if Necati can end his goal drought but if he can come into some goalscoring form starting against Albacete this weekend, it might be the spark for more goals to come and could give the club a massive boost for its promotion ambitions.