Real Sociedad achieves its first victory in the Europa League after beating Sturm Graz

Real Sociedad achieved its first victory in the Europa League 2021-2022 after beat Sturm Graz (0-1) this thursday in the third day of the group stage. Monaco beat PSV (1-2) and Eindhoven y the Monegasque team leads the group B standings with 7 points. The txuri-urdin set is second with 5 points, the PSV (4 points) falls to third place and the Sturm Graz is the bottom with 0 points.

Both teams began imposing a high rhythm and the first time was for Real Sociedad, although Silva’s shot after a good pass from Isak did not reach the goal, as it cleared the local defense. In the 9th minute, Isak was able to overtake the txuri-urdin team, but his shot was cleared by goalkeeper Siebenhandl. Afterwards, the match had several interruptions, and the txuri-urdin team had to make their first substitution for Zubimendi injury. Ander Guevara replaced the San Sebastian midfielder.

In the 28th minute, Portu was close to scoring, but Wüthrich crossed and cleared the ball avoiding the Basque team’s goal. Four minutes later, at the 32nd, Wüthrich himself was able to put his team ahead on the scoreboard, although his header missed the goal. In the final stretch of the first half, both teams had approaches to the rival area, but without clear chances. Just before halftime, David Silva missed a good scoring opportunity after finishing off a good pass from Isak upstairs.

At the beginning of the second half, Real had a very clear scoring chance; Januzaj took the free-kick and Merino’s shot crashed into the post. In the 51st minute, the txuri-urdin team made a good move and Aihen Muñoz’s shot was cleared by goalkeeper Sibenhandl. After the break, Real Sociedad took possession of the ball and put the rival back. Sturm Graz were having a hard time, a foul was found at the edge of the area and Remiro avoided the home team’s goal after clearing Jantscher’s shot.

The dominance of Real Sociedad in the second half was clear, but they needed to unblock the game with a goal and the goal came in the 68th minute through Isaac (0-1); the Swedish striker received the ball on the edge of the area, shot low, and the ball slipped into the goal of Sturm Graz after passing goalkeeper Sibenhandl who could do more.

Sturm Graz were unable to put the team led by Imanol Alguacil in trouble after conceding the goal. In addition, the local team was left with one player less in the 86th minute after Stankovic was sent off for a double yellow card. In the last minute, Turrientes was able to round off the victory but his shot crashed off the crossbar.

Datasheet:

0.- Sturm Graz: Siebenhandl; Gazibegovic (Hunter, min. 73), Affengruber, Wuthrich, Dante; Kuen (Ljubic, min. 66), Stankovic, Prass (Hierlander, min. 38), Niangbo (Geyrhofer, min. 65); Jantscher and Yeboah (Sarkaria, min. 73).

1.- Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel (Zaldua, min. 62), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Muñoz; Zubimendi (Guevara, min. 18), Merino, Silva (Sorloth, min. 62); Januzaj (Turrientes, min. 75), Portu and Isak (Lobete, min. 77).

Goals: 0-1, min. 68: Isaac.

Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany). He sent off Stankovic in the 86th minute for a double yellow. He admonished Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Merino and Guevara.