And suddenly, Europe

Today is the day, the day when Real Sociedad make their debut in European competition this season. One of the most awaited dates in the calendar, due to the additional charge of excitement that it usually implies, has become, perhaps, one of the most feared, and not because of the strength of the rival, however it may come. from losing a history that fell into ruin like Saint Etienne, but instead, because of the moment of indefinition that the group of Imanol. This group has now developed so many doubts that, no matter how small the opponent, it presents itself as an obstacle difficult to overcome. On no previous occasion has there been a team of Imanol with so many questions, mistrust and doubts.

In the last few hours, very little has been said about the French rival and more about the shortcomings observed in this team, the mistakes made in each match by these players, the possibilities or alternatives they could hold. Imanol to try to reverse the current state of things. I can’t help but smile when I think of all this because, when one has lived for some time, one has had the opportunity to experience them in all colors and, of course, the present, even until now, is not , not by far the most concerned.

It is true that Real Sociedad, and this is the good news, has gained great status in the last decade, achieved on the playing fields, as well as on them. But this requires a series of obligations and demands that are not always easy to meet. La Real is “obliged” to measure one year and the next, too, something that hasn’t happened in the past, and when they go wrong, they go wrong. Everything seems more serious, because the goals are high and it is not easy to always maintain the same level. But Real, after seven painful days in the League, stands on the threshold of a new edition of the Europa League, and that should be reason enough to raise our heads, regain hope and dream of a big thing

A 50 year old book

Now it’s the president Afternoon insisted on moving into the publishing business, along with the “publishing” of various Royal Society books, it is worth remembering the printing of another work, made in the last 50 years , and which includes the many episodes experienced by this group on its journey through Europe. A journey that began half a century ago today. On September 18, 1974, the often mentioned field of Atotxa opened its doors to receive a team, then among the
the now divided Czechoslovakia, the Banik of Ostrava. Not Liverpool or Inter, who would come a few years later, but they were strong enough to break the resistance of a group of novice footballers, without any experience in these matters, but with tons of enthusiasm. What had to happen happened…and so did the Czechs
They made it through the round, and Real were left behind. But that is the first stone of a journey that will experience a new milestone today, Wednesday, in Nice. La Real is no longer inferior to anyone, and measures itself against the greats of the continent without complexities, knowing its limitations, but also its virtues. Playing in Europe can never be a punishment, an obstacle, a distraction, but rather a great opportunity.

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Ter Stegen, Remiro’s ‘friend’

The German goalkeeper of Barcelona, ​​without a doubt, one of the best goalkeepers in the world – for some, including myself, the best – has been sad news in recent times due to his serious injury. The one from Monchengladbach put our Remiro on the Olympus of the best, with the stars as brilliant Ederson either Courtoissomething that Cascante never forgot.

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Remiro and ten others

The Navarrese goalkeeper is the only player in the squad who has played everything, absolutely everything, since the start of the season. Only two teammates come close to him with six starts, the Catalan Sergio Gomez and Martin Zubimendi. And with two “failures”, the quartet formed by Zubeldia, Turrientes, hut and Becker.