A point, and onwards

Real Sociedad earned a point tonight against Olympique Lyonnais. The txuri-urdin took the lead in the first half through Óskarsson, but Tolisso drew the visitors level after the break. It was an evenly contested match with few clear chances. Although Matarazzo’s side enjoyed more of the initiative, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game.

The match got off to a lively start, with the French side moving the ball quickly and Real Sociedad looking to impose a calmer rhythm. Neither team managed to create any clear chances until the half-hour mark, when a cross from the right was met by Óskarsson, who was left with a simple header to put La Real ahead. Just two minutes later, Oyarzabal came close to doubling the lead with a powerful left-footed strike. Defensively, Matarazzo’s side looked solid, and Marrero was rarely called into action in the first half.

Real Sociedad started the second half well, with Barrene going close after a first-time effort that drifted wide. However, less than ten minutes after the restart, Tolisso levelled the score with a fine piece of play inside the box. Matarazzo’s side looked to hit back, launching a good counter-attack that ended with Oyarzabal shooting from a tight angle, only for Greif to make the save. The closing stages saw few clear-cut chances, with the hosts pushing harder for a winner, although the visitors also came close when Tolisso’s header was kept out by Marrero.

A point against one of the competition’s top sides. We were after all three points, but we keep moving forward, with the knockout stages now within closer reach.

Match details:

Real Sociedad: Marrero, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Sarr (Martín, 46), Sergio Gómez, Gorrotxa, Herrera, Barrene (Marín, 79), Guedes (Ochieng, 66), Oyarzabal (c) and Óskarsson (Sučić, 79).

Olympique Lyonnais: Greif, Athekame, Bacher, Kluivert, Vinicius, Tessmann, Bidstrup (Nartey, 75), Tolisso (c), Boudache Rodríguez, min.89), Nakamura (Duranville, 67) and Merah (Tagliafico, 89).

Goals: 1-0: Óskarsson, 28; 1-1: Tolisso, 54.

Referee: Papapetrou (Greece). Booked Guedes, Barrene and Herrera for Real Sociedad, and Duranville, Greif and Abner for Olympique Lyonnais.

Attendance: 30,878.