Real Sociedad, before their best first round since the runner-up in 2002-03

The Real society has completed the first half of the championship comfortably installed in the third position Thank you to your 39 pointswhich suppose the second best first round in its historyjust behind the 43 points that he added in the 2002-03 season, in which he was runner-up of League.

These 39 points have been achieved after adding 12 wins and three draws in the 19 games played, and represent the second best mark in a first round for Real. Exactly 20 years ago, in the 2002-03 League, the Gipuzkoan team achieved 43 points, after winning 12 games and draw sevenwithout conceding any defeat, and led the standings with five points over Real Madrid, then second.

In the League 2012-13, led by Philippe Montanier, the txuri-urdin were ninth, with 26 points, far from the current 39, but in a great second round they managed to reach fourth position and qualify for the Champions League; In the season 1997-98With Bernd Krauss on the bench, Real, which finished third in the League, was also third after matchday 19, but with four points less than now, 35.

in the seasons 1980-81 Y 1981-82, which ended with Real as League champions, as there were 18 teams in the First Division, the first round ended on matchday 17; If we look at the points added by Real on matchday 19, those Real Sociedad teams did not exceed the current mark either (adding three points per victory, as has been done since 1995). In 1987-88with John Toshack’s Real runner-up in the League, the current record of 39 points was matched in the first round, the same as in the first 19 days of the League 1979-80when Alberto Ormaetxea’s Real led the standings and remained undefeated.

Thus, under the direction of Imanol Bailiffin this 2022-23, only the defeats against Barcelona (1-4), Getafe (2-1), Valladolid (1-0) and Betis (0-2) have tarnished an almost perfect path, which today allows enjoy five points ahead of Atlético de Madrid, fourth place, and eight over Villarreal and Betis, fifth and sixth respectively (Betis has one game less). Above, there are only FC Barcelona, ​​leader with 47 points, eight more than Real, and Real Madrid, second, with 42. Both teams, yes, have played one game less, for the moment.

This good track record of Real Sociedad has been based, fundamentally, on its defensive solvency. Except for the four goals conceded against Barça, the txuri-urdin team have conceded 14 in the other 18 games, which, together with their 28 goals scored (it is the third most accomplished team after Barcelona and Real Madrid), have made him a very difficult enemy to overcome.

Numerous casualties, which have not prevented adding regularly

So much so that not even the numerous casualties that he has suffered during this first part of the campaign have prevented him from adding regularly. La Real could not count on Mikel Oyarzabal until December 31, it has lost its main offensive bet, Sadik Umarafter breaking the crusader on matchday five, after having made his debut against Atlético de Madrid with a goal, and, furthermore, he has hardly been able to have another of his reinforcements, Mohamed Ali Chonor with Carlos Fernandez nor with Ander Barrenetxeafootballers who should be gaining prominence in the second half of the championship.

The key to success has been gestated in his midfield, in that diamond formed by Zubimendi, Merino, Brais and Silva that so much football has generated, and in a alexander sorloth who came as a substitute for Sadiq Umar and who, after the Nigerian’s injury, has become the team’s top scorer, with eight goals.

If Real is capable of maintaining similar numbers to this first round in the second round, its presence in the next edition of the Champions League seems more than assured, ten years later.