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First European triumph for la Real. The side from San Sebastián beat Sturm Graz 0-1 at the Merkur Arena. 600 txuri urdin fans celebrated wildly in the stands as Isak scored the winning goal in the second half to give Real Sociedad three key points.
La Real started the game moving the ball quickly and with great precision. The team had two very good chances in the first ten minutes. First, Silva tried his luck but his shot was cleared off the line by Sturm defence. Then, Isak’s fierce shot across goal when off balance hit the keeper. The hosts tried to create danger through Yeboah's speed but did not create Remiro any problems in the entire first half. In added time, Isak was in the thick of the action again as he won the ball back. Silva tried to capitalise on his backpass but his shot went wide. La Real were the better side in the first half but lacked precision.
La Real took even more control at the beginning of the second half. The most dangerous move thus far came from a dead-ball situation. Januzaj fired in a free-kick, the ball hitting the bar and Merino striking the wood on the rebound. Shortly after, Ahien tried his luck in a counterattack which saw the keeper made a commendable intervention. La Real felt more comfortable and it was a warning of what was to come. As usual, the goal arrived when we least expected it. Isak sent the ball home with a shot from inside the area and found the back of the net to put us front. Fair advantage for the txuri urdin, who had been making merits to achieve it. La Real had the control of the game until the end of the game, which was enough. In the final minutes, Turrientes had a chance to put the result beyond doubt but to no avail.
The txuri urdin have picked up five points, increasing their options to go into the next round in a very complicated group. Now, the realistas, who went on to record a clean sheet, turn their attentions to Sunday’s encounter against Atlético de Madrid. Aúpa Real!
Match sheet:
Sturm Graz: Siebenhandl, Gazibegovic (Jager, min.73), Affengruber, Wutrich, Dante, Stankovic, Kuen (Geyrhofer, min.67), Prass (Hierlander, min.38), Niangbon (Ljubic, min.67), Jantscher and Yeboah (Sarkaria, min.73).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Gorosabel (Zaldua, min.62), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen, Zubimendi (Guevara, min.19), Merino (cap), Silva (Sorloth, min.62), Januzaj (Turrientes, min.77), Portu and Isak (Lobete, min.77).
Goal: 0-1: Isak, min.68.
Referee: Stieler (Germany). Booked Gorosabel, Merino, Zubeldia and Guevara for Real Sociedad. Sent off Stankovic in the minute 87.