Tonight, Real came out victorious against RCD Espanyol at Anoeta in a great match by the txuri urdin players. Real beat Espanyol 3-2 with goals from Merino and Willian José, who scored a brace. This is the second straight victory for Real, that sits at position 8 of the table.
The realistas got ahead on the scoreboard early on. It was just the third minute when Merino added the first. Then, Willian José scored a penalty. The game was calm with Real dominating and Espanyol not giving their all out there. However, a goal by Nando in the 30th minute reduced the arrears for the visitors. Espanyol were able to draw level just before the break as Llorente scored an own goal. We had everything in our favor but had to start again.
The team from Rubí carried on trying in the second half whereas Real found it hard to get back into the game, which they finally did. Merino showed off his skills to provide an assist for Willian José who brilliantly steered the ball home. Real were taking the lead and could not pass up the opportunity. Fifteen minutes before the final whistle, Merino received a second yellow card and was sent off. The final minutes were not for the faint-hearted.
The realistas deserved to win at Anoeta. We got the three points and climb up the table. On Thursday, we will go all out to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Let’s carry on like this! Aúpa Real!
Line-ups:
Real Sociedad: Gero Rulli, Aritz, Llorente R., H. Moreno, Muñoz, Illarra (cap), Merino, Sangalli (Lopez, min.62), Januzaj (Zubeldia, min.84), Juanmi (Oyarzabal, min.64) and Willian J.
RCD Espanyol: Diego López, Rosales, David López (cap), Naldo, Didac Vila, S. Darder (Piatti, min.72), M. Roca, Melendo (Álex López, min.84), Granero (Puado, min.78), Leo Baptistao and Borja Iglesias.
Goals: 1-0: Merino, min.3. 2-0: Willian J. (pen), min.8. 2-1: Naldo, min.32. 2-2: Llorente R. (p.p), min.45+1. 3-2: Willian J., min.63.
Referee: Del Cerro Grande. Cautioned Aritz, Moreno, Illarra, Willian José and Rulli for Real and David López, Darder, Didac Vila, Naldo for RCD Espanyol. Merino received two yellow cards and was sent off in the 76th minute.
Attendance: 17,301 spectators.