The expected revenge

The night of October 3, 1979 is marked by unique characters in the history of the Royal Society, because that night the Royal team made history… big time. The context is very specific, because one of the greats of European football, Inter Milan, is visiting Atotxa. The Nerazzurri team, coming to San Sebastián, already has two European Cups in its cabinets, so for Real it is a truly luxurious guest, and its presence is the reason for enormous expectations. The setting is a qualifying round – first round, or 1/16 final – of the UEFA Cup. At San Siro those led by “the iron sergeant” – so called because of his specific work methods – Eugenio Bersellini, They won by an undisputed 3-0 leaving the tie almost resolved. But what the Italians did not expect was that in the legendary Atotxa they believed in miracles, and, occasionally, one was performed. And that night in October, one of them was about to be consummated. The atmosphere on the field of Paseo Duque de Mandas was extraordinary, although everyone thought that it would be almost impossible to repeat that result against a rival of such level. According to official figures, 18,198 people attended the match. The realzales dreamed of a miracle, and the footballers of Alberto Ormaetxea They began to have hope of realizing the victory, when in the 21st minute, Satrus, who, if not!, made it 1-0. We had to wait until 73, so that, once again, the Navarrese striker doubled his personal score, and brought the game to an intense drama and tension that is difficult to describe. The scoring has not moved, on the one hand, because the Italians, who, in addition to being good football players, have held perfectly what is now, euphemistically, what we call “the other football,” in charge in blocking the match, in which they had the invaluable cooperation of a British referee, who was called Patrick Partridgewho had an unquestionable participation in the elimination of Real Sociedad who, however, that day achieved their first victory in a continental tournament.

PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS

Tonight’s clash at the Reale Arena promises to be exciting, but the lead here is not far away, nor heard on one side, Txuri Urdin, or on the other, the Nerazzurri. The calendar wants that before Real and Inter meet, they both have to take care of the most demanding commitments.

The first to jump into the ring was the Italian team, in the della Madonnina derby against its eternal rival, Milan, at the Giuseppe Meazza. The presentation of the Simone Inzaghi It couldn’t have been more spectacular, as well as intimidating, as it handed his Milanese arch-nemesis a 5-1 victory.

A few hours later, it was Real’s turn to try to improve Inter’s credentials. And he is on the verge of doing a lot of damage to Real Madrid right on its own turf at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The team has some time left Imanol Alguacil and it lacked a little more meaning in an otherwise impressive first half. So, although the results ultimately had a different assessment, the truth is that both squads showed their credentials, recognizing them as capable of putting on an exceptional show tonight.

SATRUS, ALWAYS SATRUS

Arguing against Inter, newspaper archives have been raging in recent days, refreshing memories of the top and updating newcomers. Perhaps the most frequent name is that of Satrustegi, author of two goals in the second leg of that tie. And it’s certainly a way to do justice to the much-loved forward who passed through the club.

THE PERFECT STORM

I won’t explain what a “perfect storm” is meteorologically, but I’m sure we can all agree that this is what we expect to happen tonight in Reale. Let a series of factors come together that led to a devastating phenomenon for the resistance of the great Inter Milan. The Italians should see how the sky of Donostia collapsed on them.

DID YOU KNOW…?

-The Real Sociedad-Inter Milan match in 1979 at Atotxa was attended, according to official figures published by the club, by a total of 18,198 fans.

-The best entry in last year’s European competition match at Anoeta corresponds to the visit of Manchester United: 36,744 fans.

-It is estimated that there will be around 700 interista tiffosi in Anoeta, of which 200 will be ultras, representing close to 2% of the total capacity of the San Sebastian stadium.