When good isn’t good enough

What once would have been considered a good result, a draw in El Sadar against an ever-fighting host like Osasuna, this time was analyzed in a different way, and not all of them were positive. At the end of last Saturday’s match, and based on everyone’s body language, it looked like Osasuna had won and, therefore, Real had lost. Osasuna accepted the tie, knowing that the point they ended up scoring was seriously in jeopardy throughout the second half, and the extraordinary interventions of their goal, Sergio Herrera, greatly contributed to such a result. However, among the Txuri Urdins, the anxiety and disappointment of the result dominated the spirit of the protagonists.

But as important as the result is, what is more significant and revealing is the fact that Osasuna, as other rivals did before, approached the match defensively, that is, with a lot of caution, in a reactive mode, waiting for the initiative of the people of Imanol .

But it is almost constant throughout the season, and we have very close examples, like the days of Sevilla or Salzburg. The rival assumes from the beginning that he is invincible, and approaches the game on the counter, looking for possible holes, however small they may be, in the realistic device. This, however you look at it, is the sign of a great team. The respect and admiration that the San Sebastian team has gained for some time now is reflected in this kind of attitude from the opponent.

When Imanol repeats the oft-repeated mantra of “we come out to win every game,” he is surely referring to this, the unquestioning desire to overwhelm the rival by crushing, due to the logical nature of his assumed superiority. And that’s kind of scary, overwhelming, scary to those on the other side of the field, when it’s repeated over and over again, day in and day out.

That’s why when Real Sociedad doesn’t win, it feels like a loss.

Five battles, three wars

Real Sociedad, with a different balance, has overcome the first three obstacles that separated it from the end of the year since the last FIFA break. A victory against an unheralded Sevilla, a draw against Salzburg, which serves to boost the chances of topping the group in the Champions League, and another draw away from home against Osasuna, which could be considered a slight dip in the Liga . There are five more obstacles before reaching the “flying goal” of December 31. They belong to three different contests, each with specific requirements. First the Cup, where the very modest Andratx awaits, but needs an immediate resolution. There are no second chances here; it’s now or never.
Then there is Inter, waiting in their fortress of Giuseppe Meazza, to, under the protection of their tiffosi, turn the classification of the group, something that Imanol’s men must avoid at all costs. And, finally, we have the domestic competition left, where Real have to face two direct rivals, such as Villarreal and Betis, to end the year on Saint Thomas’ Day in Nuevo Mirandilla against Cádiz. A Real qualified for the round of 32, first in the group in the Champions League and among the top six in the League. That’s the goal.

Last Cup of the year.

If you want to go far in a competition like the Cup, it is an important condition to compete against moderate rivals, sometimes very modest, but who, under very specific conditions – motivation, playing, etc. . – can make your last drink bitter. of the year. Buñol is a little hard to digest, and Andratx won’t be much different, but it is what it is.

Marrero…or Marrero

I can’t think of another scenario that ownership of First Marrero in the Cup match this afternoon. He had already received his baptism of fire in the tie against Buñol, but his intervention was almost testimonial, as it hardly needed to be used. If La Real has a second goalkeeper, this is the time to show it, and I think so Imanol think alike.