La Real were unable to come away with a victory this afternoon and drew 2-2 against Girona. The realistas did not take advantage of their control of the match in the first thirty minutes and missed their opportunity to get closer to the Champions League. Nevertheless, the txuri urdin are one point closer to the objective and for the fourth consecutive year, they will play the European competition, making the ordinary extraordinary.
The match got off to a bright start with Oyarzabal's penalty goal. The captain made no mistake from 12 yards after Riquelme's knock down on Kubo. La Real were far superior in the first minutes and, shortly after, after a good chance by Sorloth, they added a second after a fine individual move from Kubo that Silva finished off at the far post. The final stretch of the first half was not for the faint of heart as Girona were going on an incredible run to come back. Then, Couto, found the net and eleven minutes later, Stuani scored the equalizer after a free kick. We thought the game was all but done but there were 45 minutes left for the txuri urdin to work things out.
Both sides produced a bright start to the second half, creating chances to take the lead in a match in which the hosts had more possession whereas Girona were more dangerous in attack. In the final minutes, la Real pushed harder in search of the win. Aihen's shot almost slipped past Gazzaniga whilst Pacheco’s header hit the woodwork.
A point that does not fulfill Imanol’s side’s aspirations. In spite of everything, the objective is there. It's time to fight until the end. Aurrera, Reala!
Match details:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Gorosabel, Zubeldia (Pacheco, min.63), Le Normand, Aihen, Zubimendi, Merino, Silva, Oyarzabal (cap) (Barrene, min.63), Take and Sorloth (Carllos Fernández, min.80).
Girona FC: Gazzaniga, Arnau, Bueno, David López, Javi Hernández (Miguel, min.59), Romeu, Couto (Artero, min.71), Tsyhankov, Iván Martín (Juanpe, min.91), Riquelme (Callens, min.91) and Stuani (cap)(Reinier, min.71).
Goals: 1-0: Oyarzabal (pen), min.5. 2-0: Silva, min.24. 2-1: Couto, min.37. 2-2: Stuani, min.45+3.
Referee: Figueroa Vázquez. Booked Zubeldia, Le Normand, Oyarzabal, Barrene and Zubimendi for Real Sociedad and Romeu for Girona FC. Arnau was sent off in the 87th minute for a double yellow card.
Attendance: 30,027 spectators.