From the incidents of last night to the match at the Stadio Olimpico, nothing went right for Real Sociedad during their trip to Rome. The defeat was the culmination of a match that became challenging very early on. A red card in the 30th minute and two goals in three minutes, right after being reduced to ten men, dashed any hopes for the txuri-urdin to secure a positive result against Lazio.
The match quickly favored the hosts, with a goal from Gila in the fifth minute, but the txuri-urdin responded well and had solid chances to equalize, particularly with a left-footed shot from Sučić that hit the post and a shot from Becker saved by the keeper. The Italians also had other clear opportunities, including a ball that Brais cleared off the line. The red card for Aihen in the 30th minute changed the dynamics of the match and the two goals conceded immediately after that red card put the game to bed.
In the second half, the txuri-urdin tightened up defensively to defend against the hosts’ superiority, and they even managed to score thanks to a cross from Aramburu that Barrene headed into the net after a rebound from the goalkeeper, reducing a scoreline that was not what they had expected at the outset.
This trip went terribly wrong. It’s time to forget and move on; the best is yet to come. We are Real.
Match sheet:
SS Lazio: Mandas, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares, Guendouzi, Rovella, Dia (Balde, min.76), Isaksen (Noslin, min.56), Zaccagni (cap)(Tchaouna, min.56) and Castellanos (Pedro, min.46).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Aihen, Zubimendi (Aritz, min.46), Sučić, Brais Méndez (Javi López, min.36), Becker, Take (Barrene, min.46) and Oyarzabal (cap)(Marín, min.46.
Goals: 1-0: Gila, min.5. 2-0: Zaccagni, min.31. 3-0: Castellanos, min.34. 3-1: Barrene, min.82.
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium). Booked Rovella and Zaccagni for SS Lazio and Zubimendi for Real Sociedad. Aihen was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 30th minute.