54 points tonight and a top-four finish on June 4. That’s the obsession of a Real Sociedad hurt by Saturday’s derby defeat against Athletic and driven as poor results have led them to burn almost all advantage they have over their pursuers. Imanol’s men will now begin against Rayo Vallecano (Anoeta, 6:30 pm, DAZN) four games in 12 days that will be decisive for their final luck of the season. The win for Iraola’s team seems important before the games against Betis and Osasuna and the next one at home against Madrid, to hold the fourth place, an inevitable ambition in the next month and a half, until the end of the League.
Today in Anoeta is a final of sorts for Europe as a win against Rayo would mean almost sealing the European passport for the fourth year in a row. Vallecano’s team is eighth -the first to be left without a continental contest if Madrid wins the Cup final against Osasuna- and will fall to 14 points with the particular ‘goalaverage’ with eight days left in case of success txuri order now Europe is the goal, but, after 18 days in the Champions positions, 16 of them in a row, falling from there would be a disappointment.
La Real chose to tie their third consecutive victory at home, after achievements against Elche (2-0) and Getafe (2-0). Anoeta is currently fishing for points, as his outdoor performance (one point in the last 12) has fallen.
A Lightning that doesn’t go away much
In front is a Rayo Vallecano whose trajectory also draws a sharp downward curve. They added just eight of the last 27 points and away from home they celebrated four wins in 14 games, 17 points from 42 possible. La Real beat him with great authority 0-2 on January 21, when txuri urdin won almost all their games. A lot has happened since then.
One of the positives is that imanol it has recovered almost all of its troops. For this match against Rayo, which came from a defeat to Osasuna (2-1), they lost Le Normand by sanction and Rich due to injury, but can rely on the remaining 22 members of the first team, all but Sadik Umar. In the call for 24, coach included yesterday jonathan gomezthe 19-year-old Texan, to change Rich already Egoitz Arana as the third goalkeeper instead of Unai Marrero.
As for the line-up, there are certainly growing doubts given the intensity of the game and the results of recent weeks, with the coach opting for a 4-4-2 with a magic diamond in midfield. La Real improved a lot in their 4-3-3 performance in the second half against Athletic, especially with the contribution of a Ander Barrenetxea that now he can start even in 4-4-2, as he was three months ago in Vallecas, with a goal included. Pacheco chose to change Le Normand on the rear axis and, if bse chooses the 4-3-3 with two wings, what is sacrificed is a Brace gray all year 2023.
Heavy casualties in Rayo
Andoni Iraolaa reference coach in the Primera, regrets the absence of chain and alvaro garcia for punishment and falcao due to injury. The first two are headlines each week. The ‘tiger’ didn’t quite roar for Vallecas.
The stakes are high for La Real this afternoon. In other things, nothing less than to proceed fourth. Time to squeeze.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
