Tonight, Real beat SD Huesca 0-1 at El Alcoraz. Even if the txuri urdin squad was not on top of their game, they did show their trademark efficiency and took the three points home thanks to a goal by Merino.
Both teams were quite even during the first half, although it was Real that created the most chances in a match mostly fought in the midfield. Our best chances came from set pieces. Two free-kicks by Pardo came close to making the score 0-1, and despite the home team trying their best they never had any real chances to put the ball behind Rulli.
In the second half, Huesca increased the pressure on Real until minute 64 when Merino, assisted by Theo, scored a spectacular goal into the bottom left corner. The only shadows on Real’s advantage were Juanmi’s dismissal after two yellow cards and Theo's following a straight red. Despite being two men down, the squad held on and secured the victory we had been longing for since matchday 1.
On tough weeks like this one, where we will be playing two more matches (against Rayo Vallecano on our home turf on Tuesday, and against Valencia on Saturday) it is always extremely motivating to start with a victory. Go Real!
Lineups:
SD Huesca: Werner, Jorge Miramón, R. Semedo, J. Pulido (Sendar, min.84), Luisinho (Ávila, min.79), Melero (cap), Musto, Moi Gómez (Longo, min.68), Álex Gallar, Ferreiro and Cucho.
Real Sociedad: Gero Rulli, Zaldua, Aritz, H. Moreno, Theo, Zubeldia, R. Pardo (Zurutuza, min.74), Merino, Oyarzabal, Juanmi and Bautista (Rodrigues, min.84).
Goal: 0-1: Merino, min.64.
Referee: Iglesias Villanueva. He cautioned Luisinho, Cucho, Longo and Ferreiro for SD Huesca and Pardo for Real Sociedad. He sent off Juanmi (Real Sociedad) on minute 71 after two yellow cards and Theo (Real Sociedad) on a straight red card on minute 82.
