An almost complete puzzle

There are still hours before the market closes, where all the processes are reactivated, in the rhythm of emergencies and everyone’s needs. La Real could be said to have done its homework, in the absence of closing any last-minute operations, in everyone’s mind. It is true that it is strange, as well as uncomfortable, to start the official competition, while there are changes in the team from one week to the next. The feeling is that of a pre-season that has not yet ended, but there are already points at stake, which, in the end, have the same value as those that will be played later.

As I said, Real has almost closed the campus -there is an exit to be activated-, but the truth is, except in the case of I brought itwho has been training for weeks with his new teammates, others have barely exercised, or simply, as is the case with andre silva, who arrived injured, was unprecedented. This is how we witnessed the Russian debut Zakharyan at the Estadio Gran Canaria with just four sessions in the body, and history is likely to repeat itself in the Scotsman’s case Tierney this Saturday against Granada.

Obviously, in these conditions, everything that happens will be clearly mediated, and it is necessary to take it with relative caution when analyzing it and drawing conclusions.

That the team did not start with the spark of other seasons seems to be a fact, and they have already given up some points along the way. Perhaps the results are the smallest conclusions, which form the forms, the ones that Imanol refers to many times, -he calls them “how”-, the ones that really concern.

The team showed things in sections of the first two games, and very little in the Las Palmas game. they are gone Illarramendi, Guevara, gorosabel, Sorlothand most of all Silva. For the former, a customized replacement was sought; In the case of the canary, the solutions must come from a different route, because changing the cards here is not enough.

REMIRO, A TOP GOALKEEPER

The truth is the words of Barcelona’s goal Ter Stegenwhich offers his particular “best goalkeeper” ranking, which includes the Real goalkeeper, Alex Remiroat the level of Courtois and Manchester City’s goal, Ederson, may surprise many, no matter how well we consider Cascante. But the authority of the character who played them thought more than one. Well, Remiro’s performances in the first three league games couldn’t be more definitive: the most outstanding man in his team, perhaps in all three games. Now comes the classic derivative: if the goalkeeper is the best in the team, a bad sign. Ok yes and no. Yes, because it shows that they have come to you many times and hurt you; No, because the goalkeeper is an important part -perhaps the most important part and one that is the most difficult to replace- of the defense system, and the presence of a guarantee specialist becomes increasingly decisive.

I do not know if Ter Stegen He went too far in his estimation -I see no reason for him to do it-, but what is indisputable is that he put the goalkeeper of Real Sociedad on the map of great goalkeepers on the continent.

PROFILE OF TIERNEY

Obviously, the arrival of Kieran Tierney to Real is an extra experience, much needed, especially when you face a season as demanding as the current one. Considering his characteristics, the truth is that his profile is quite similar to that of the person he replaced, Rich, that is, a good left foot, a good distance shot, and physical work. The only thing missing is its superior performance.

THE CORNERS FROM RUSSIA

the day of his debut Arsen Zakharyan He has already shown us something: he knows how to spin. And this is not small, because Real usually have many opportunities from set pieces from the corner and, unfortunately, they hardly take advantage of them. The beating of the young Russian footballer made us dream of the possibility that, from now on, things might change in this regard.

DID YOU KNOW…?

-There is only one league precedent in the history of Real Sociedad, which started with three consecutive draws: the 1968-1969 season.

-That season, with andoni elizondo on the bench, Real drew the first three league games (all of them 0-0) against Barça, Pontevedra and Granada.

-Real Sociedad finished that campaign in seventh, 1 point behind sixth place -Atlético Madrid- and two points behind fifth place, which qualified for Europe, which was Valencia.