A fresh look

Real Sociedad picked up a point tonight against Atlético de Madrid. Matarazzo’s debut on the bench featured an intense performance, with the team responding after the break to level the visitors’ goal and open a new chapter with a fresh look.

The txuri-urdin came out with real intensity, meeting the high demands of the game from the very first minute. Oyarzabal tested the defence early with a strike from the edge of the area, while Atlético replied with a Julian effort that drifted wide. Towards the end of the first half, Real Sociedad created two clear chances: first, Oyarzabal went close after a brilliant move from Take, and shortly after, Guedes fired in a shot that Soler got a touch to, but not enough to prevent Oblak from saving.

The second half opened with an Atlético counterattack that ended in a Sorloth header giving the visitors the lead. Real responded in the best possible way, equalising shortly afterwards through Guedes, who finished off a Kubo assist to quickly erase the setback. The goal sparked Real’s strongest spell of the match, with Kubo going close to a second and Oyarzabal unable to finish after dribbling past Oblak. Real Sociedad were the better side after the break, although Atlético also threatened when Griezmann tried to lob Remiro, who reacted well to deny him. In stoppage time, the txuri-urdin came agonisingly close to a winner, as Soler sent a chance wide that seemed to have victory written all over it.

A point that falls short of reflecting the performance on display. Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad showed character, intensity and personality. Now the focus turns to building on this display on Friday in Getafe.

Match details:

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Martín, Ćaleta-Car, Sergio Gómez, Turrientes (Marín, min.73), Soler, Brais Méndez (Oskarsson, min.88), Take (Zakharyan, min.88), Guedes (Barrene, min.73) and Oyarzabal (cap).

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Pubill, Ruggeri (Le Normand, min.46), Koke (cap)(Raspadori, min.72), Barrios (Gallagher, min.46), Giuliano, Baena (Johnny, min.60), Sorloth and Álvarez (Griezmann, min.60).

Goals: 0-1: Sorloth, min.50. 1-1: Guedes, min.55.

Referee: Juan Martínez. Booked Guedes, Ćaleta-Car and Oyarzabal for Real Sociedad and Ruggeri and Raspadori for Atletico.

Attendance: 31.576 spectators.