Real Sociedad take commanding first leg Copa lead

Real Sociedad took a big step in securing their first Quarter-Final appearance for 19 years in the Copa del Rey with a simple 2-0 victory over a lacklustre Real Mallorca side. Goals either side of half-time from Aranburu and Agirretxe sealed a victory which left Joaquín Caparrós fuming with his side’s ‘passive attitude’ in what he described as a ‘horrible game’.

Both clubs shuffled their lineups to make full use of their squads. Juan Calatayud returned to Mallorca’s goal with exit-bound Martí Crespí ahead of him in central defence with Iván Ramis. Caparrós also gave starts to Alejandro Alfaro and Sergio Tejera, but new signing Marvin Ogunjimi missed out through injury.

With the clock ticking just over sixteen minutes, Real Sociedad broke forward. It wasn’t long before Agirretxe, who had acres of space to play in a cross, found the head of Aranburu who too was completely unmarked to put the home side in front. The closest two players, Pep Martí and Pau Cendrós stood no chance in making up the ground and whilst their positioning was poor, eyebrows were raised of just how far away Martí Crespí and Iván Ramis were from the action. And that is before looking at Juan Calatayud’s contribution to the calamitous defending.

Real Sociedad’s second goal was nearly as bad.

Again under no pressure the home side were allowed to almost waltz through the Los Bermellones defence before Pau Cendrós was far too easily beaten by a through ball with Griezmann doing light shielding duties. This left the defence wide open as Aranburu had a chance to double his lead. His shot was poor, but Calatayud’s fortunate save with his foot was even worse as the ball somehow looped up on to the bar. Martí Crespí lacked commitment and was easily beaten to the rebound by Agirretxe who made it 2-0.

Los Bermellones did have chances. And the two best ones fell for Tomer Hemed, but his fortune deceived him with his own team mate Alejandro Alfaro getting in the way for one of the chances.

The performance was dubbed ‘the worst under Caparrós’ by Marca. Something which Caparrós must have agreed with as he ordered the players to train with a double session today.

Veteran midfielder Pep Martí commented, ‘we are all angry and upset by what happened in San Sebastián. We are a family. And when something goes wrong, everyone is cranky. But you have to look at the positive side and hope that we can turn the tie around at home.’

Goalkeeper Juan Calatayud was the most critical, stating, ‘we represent a club and a city. This is not the image that Mallorca needs.’ But in an attempt to find the silver living, he said, ‘despite everything, 2-0 is not an unbridgeable distance. We must look at ourselves one-by-one and see where we failed.’

Island journalist Tomeu Maura focused on the silver lining, however, stating that a cup final would of course be nice, but the priority has to be the league. And that was represented in those missing from the squad. Tomás Pina, Michael Pereira, Chori Castro, Chico, Aki, José Nunes, Víctor Casadesús and Pedro Bigas all failed to even make the bench.

The return leg will be played at the Iberostar Estadi on Tuesday 10th January at 7pm GMT.

Teams

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Zubikarai; Estrada, Demidov , González, de la Bella ; Elustondo, Aranburu (Mariga 81′); Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza , Griezmann (Vela 71′); Agirretxe (Llorente 77′).
Substitutes: Toño (gk); Cadamuro, Ansotegi; Pardo, Mariga; Llorente, Vela.
Goals: Aranburu 17′; Agirretxe 54′.

Real Mallorca (4-3-3): Calatayud; Cendrós, Martí Crespí , Ramis, Cáceres ; Alfaro, João Victor, Martí (Tissone 71′); Tejera (Nsue 45′), Hemed (Abdón 82′), Álvaro.
Substitutes: Aouate (gk); Zuiverloon, Marí; Xisco, Tissone, Nsue; Abdón.

Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero (ESP)
Stadium: Estadio de Anoeta, San Sebastián, Basque Country
Attendance: 22,330

Highlights