Official Real Sociedad Thread

[Lance Knight]

Any news on Real Sociedad to be posted here

[Lance Knight]

Any news on Osasuna to be posted here

[Lance Knight]

well Xabi have left for Liverpool almost a week ago

[Lance Knight]

Milosevic agrees Osasuna deal


MADRID, July 17 (Reuters) - Serbia and Montenegro striker Savo Milosevic has agreed to sign a three-year deal with Osasuna, the Primera Liga side said on Saturday.
Osasuna, who finished 13th in the league last season, said the deal was dependent on Parma agreeing to let the player leave on a free transfer.


The 30-year-old centre-forward, who has a year left on his contract with the Italian side, played on loan at Celta Vigo last season but his 14 league goals were not enough to stop the club from being relegated.

Celta are trying to offload several of their most highly paid players following their relegation from the top flight.

Brazilian left back Silvinho signed for Barcelona at the start of the week and French midfielder Peter Luccin is reported to be close to joining Atletico Madrid.

[Lance Knight]

Numancia have signed Real Sociedad attacking midfielder Lee Chun-soo on loan prior start of the new Primera Liga season.

The South Korean international, who recently played for his country at the Athens Olympics, joins the promoted club after both sides agreed terms on the loan deal for the Asian attacker on Friday.

The 23-year-old leaves the Basque club after failing to make much of an impact at Estadio Anoeta last term, playing just 13 matches in La Liga for Sociedad.

The former Ulsan Tigers player should be available for Numancia's opening Primera Liga contest at home to Real Betis on Saturday.

The news comes as Sociedad boss Jose Maria Amorrortu continues to shape his squad for the new Spanish campaign, with midfield maestro Xabi Alonso already moving on to join Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.

Lee may be joined out the Anoeta exit door by goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who is currently attracting the interest of fellow Primera Liga club Mallorca after being told he was surplus to requirements at Sociedad.

[Leon of Silvren]

well Xabi have left for Liverpool almost a week ago

HHAHAHAHA, that was funny man, hilarious....

[Lance Knight]

Sociedad send Lee to Numancia


MADRID, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Real Sociedad's South Korean midfielder Lee Chun-soo is joining promoted Numancia on loan.
The Spanish league rivals reached agreement over terms on Friday and Lee has accepted the move, Real Sociedad said on their website.


The 23-year-old international played just 13 league games for Sociedad last season, without scoring a goal, after joining from Ulsan Tigers.

Numancia finished third in the second division last season to clinch promotion back to the top division. Their opening match of the league season is at home to Real Betis on Saturday.

[Lance Knight]

Osasuna 1-1 Athletic Bilbao: FT Report

PA

PAMPLONA, August 29 (Primera Liga) - Athletic Bilbao failed to make the most of their numerical advantage as 10-man Osasuna battled hard to secure a draw at their El Sadar stadium.

Despite falling behind to Joseba Etxeberria's goal, the home side looked to be on the up when Savo Milosevic pulled Osasuna level.

The dismissal of defender Josetxo just after the interval threatened to undo all the hard work but Osasuna were able to hold on for a well-earned point.

The hosts, who finished 12th last season, were hoping to get off to a winning start and banish memories of their 2-1 home defeat to Athletic towards the end of the 2003-04 campaign.

Their opponents, meanwhile, had a noticeably better season ensuring qualification for the UEFA Cup with a top-five finish.

And Athletic looked to be on top from the start with Etxeberria providing the opening shot for the visitors after just four minutes.

Minutes later, Osasuna's Moha found himself alone in the Bilbao area and tried to trick keeper Daniel Aranzubia with a clever chip only to see his effort float high over the crossbar.

After some early promise from both sides, the deadlock was broken after 15 minutes when a quick counter-attack by Athletic's Tiko left Osasuna short at the back, allowing the pass through to Etxeberria who blasted the ball home with his left foot.

Just three minutes later Etxeberria threatened to extend the lead with another winding run but Osasuna keeper Ricardo Sanzol was able to clear the danger for a corner.

Despite being outplayed for much of the match so far, Osasuna felt they were hard done by in the 34th minute when Milosevic was denied a penalty after being hacked down in the area by Bilbao midfielder Francisco Yeste

The incident seemed to lift the home side and after 40 minutes Ivan Corrales' cross was powered home by the head of Milosovic to pull Osasuna level.

The euphoria looked to be short-lived when, having clawed their way back into the match, Osasuna found themselves down to 10 men directly after the interval when Josetxo was given his marching orders for a late challenge from behind on Santiago Ezquerro.

Yet once more, the misfortune only served to boost the hosts who looked to be heading for a 2-1 lead when Enrique Corrales unleashed a shot after 62 minutes, but a crucial intervention from Andoni Iraola kept Athletic in the game.

Osasuna continued to threaten to the last with Athletic looking to have run out of steam, and were unlucky not to snatch a late three points when Francisco Punal's header narrowly missed at the far post.

[Lance Knight]

Real Sociedad 1-1 Levante: FT Report

PA

SAN SEBASTIAN, August 29 (Primera Liga) - Newcomers Levante made a promising start to their Primera Liga campaign by claiming a point at Real Sociedad.

Nihat Kahveci spared Sociedad's blushes after cancelling out Ian Harte's first-half strike to ensure honours were even in San Sebastian.

The home side were eager to open with a victory to help put the disappointment of last season behind them in which they finished a lowly 15th, just shy of the relegation zone.

Bittor Alkiza was able to shrug off a niggling back injury to line up in the Sociedad midfield alongside Valeri Karpin, who is starting his final season as a player and was preferred to Xabi Prieto in the starting XI.

For visitors Levante, this was their first outing in the top flight for 40 years and they could have been forgiven for suffering from early stage fright, almost allowing their opponents a perfect start when Nihat was able to twist between two defenders and shoot from the edge of the box after just two minutes.

His shot took Levante keeper Juan Mora by surprise and the visitors were somewhat relieved to see the ball come back off the base of the left-hand post.

The pressure steadily increased on the Levante side and in the 26th minute Sociedad saw another chance go begging as Igor Gabilondo managed to dig out a cross only for Darko Kovacevic to direct his header over the bar.

Four minutes later and Levante were again breathing a sigh of relief when Nihat's corner was flicked on by Karpin at the near post.

Mora managed to parry the ball but only as far as Gabilondo who looked certain to score from six yards out until the Levante keeper somehow got back to scramble the shot around the post.

It was Levante who unexpectedly broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval. Having won a free-kick 30-yards out, Harte, a summer signing from Leeds United, stepped up to drive the ball fiercely past the wall and high into the top corner of Asier Risego's net to send the hosts ahead.

Levante did not hold the advantage for long, however, as just two minutes into the second half Sociedad found themselves back on level terms.

Alkiza's through-ball left Nihat one-on-one with Juan Mora, and the Turkish striker waited for the keeper to commit himself before effortlessly taking the ball around him and passing it into the empty net.

The match quickly fizzled out after the goal, although Levante had a chance to swing the match in their favour but Felix Ettien saw his shot well-saved by Riesgo in the Sociedad net.

[Lance Knight]

Villarreal 0-0 Real Sociedad: FT Report

PA

VILLARREAL, September 12 (Primera Liga) - Villarreal picked up their first point of the campaign as they held Real Sociedad to a goalless draw.

Defences dominated at El Madrigal stadium, and neither side really deserved to win the game as both outfits approached the encounter with caution.

The game was dour for long spells, and the contest struggled to get going early on as both teams found it difficult to keep possession.

The home side began to dominate possession as the half wore on, and created several good chances. Real played well sporadically, and manufactured a few opportunities, but never produced a concerted spell of pressure.

In the second half neither side was able to seize the initiative, and chances were at a premium as the defences held firm and the forwards did not have the invention to find a way through.

Villarreal had the better of the early play and the home side came the closest to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes when Juan Roman Riquelme's free-kick found fellow Argentinian Gonzalo Rodriguez in the middle of a crowded penalty area.

Rodriguez Gonzalo rose well but his powerful header was met by a good save from Asier Riesgo.

Moments later the hosts again went close when Marcos Senna's through ball found Diego Forlan running clear of his marker. Forlan took a touch, before hitting a weak shot from the edge of the area that was easily held by the grateful Riesgo.

Real created their best opening of the first half when Javier Garrido's clever pass found Serbo-Montenegrin striker Darko Kovacevic in space on the edge of the penalty box.

Kovacevic chose to shoot early, but he could only fire a rising right-footed drive from 18 yards wide of the left-hand upright.

Four minutes after the re-start to the second half Forlan's lay-off on the edge of the area found Riquelme who hit a fierce volley. The ball swerved and dipped and Riesgo did well to palm the shot away for a corner.

On the hour mark a good piece of play between Santi Calorza and Xisco Nadal released Calorza in space just inside the Sociedad penalty area. Calorza hit a low shot across the face of the goal, but the strike lacked any real power and the ball was easily held by Riesgo.

Six minutes from time Real came close to a late winner when Xabi Prieto found space on the right for a cross. He picked out Nihat Kahveci on the penalty spot, but the Turkish striker could only direct his header wide of the far post.

[Lance Knight]

Deportivo La Coruña 1-3 Osasuna: FT Report

PA

LA CORUNA, September 12 (Primera Liga) - Deportivo La Coruna's Riazor fortress was breached in emphatic style on Sunday as 10-man Osasuna claimed a shock victory over the 2000 Spanish champions.

The Riazor is considered one of the most daunting trips for visiting teams in La Liga and Depor have lost only 13 home league games in the last six seasons.

However, Osasuna made a mockery of that statistic, battling back from a goal down to claim all three points thanks to second-half goals from John Aloisi (55) and Savo Milosevic (62 & 80).

Even the 57th-minute dismissal of Jose Izquierdo for a second yellow card failed to slow Osasuna, who move on to four points following their season-opening draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Both teams made a slow start to the game and it wasn't until the 17th minute that the first decent opportunity was created by either side.

The chance fell to Depor midfielder Lionel Scaloni but his looping header grazed the top of the crossbar and went over. It may have seemed a close thing for Depor supporters but even if it had been on target it was unlikely to have troubled Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo Sanzol, who looked to have the effort covered.

However, Depor were celebrating just two minutes later when Scaloni set up Walter Pandiani for the opening goal of the game.

Scolari forced his way into the box before pulling the ball back for Pandiani and the Uruguayan international fired his shot low past Sanzol.

Pandiani, playing as a lone striker, had two decent chances to add to Depor's lead in the closing stages of the first half but he failed to convert either opportunity despite being well-placed.

And Osasuna made the home side pay for those misses after the break.

Playing with much more purpose and direction, Osasuna set about trying to restore parity and were handed the chance 10 minutes into the second half when Mauro Silva brought down Ludovic Delporte in the box.

Australian international Aloisi made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick.

That gave Osasuna the incentive to redouble their efforts and, despite having right-back Izquierdo dismissed for a foul on Pedro Munitis, they managed to take the lead just after the hour mark.

Ludovic Delporte, who had impressed in his brief time on the pitch after coming on as a half-time substitute, broke down the left before picking out an unmarked Milosevic with a low cross which the Serbo-Montenegrin striker prodded home.

Depor coach Javier Irureta responded to his side going behind by throwing on Spanish international striker Albert Luque and the home side twice went close to equalising through Munitis and Pandiani.

But just as Depor were preparing themselves for a final onslaught in the last 10 minutes they were hit with a third Osasuna goal.

Milosevic, no doubt brimming with confidence from his earlier strike, produced a sublime left-footed chip that sailed over a stranded Jose Molina in the home goal and into the back of the net, ensuring the points would be travelling back to Pamplona with the visitors.

[Lance Knight]

Valencia 3-1 Real Sociedad: FT Report

PA

VALENCIA, September 18 (Primera Liga) - Italian striker Marco Di Vaio was the hero of the night as reigning Primera Liga champions Valencia cruised to a comfortable win over Real Sociedad.

Although he missed chances early in the game, Di Vaio scored headers after 36 and 50 minutes to set his side on course against a Real Sociedad who look destined to suffer another season battling against relegation.

Miguel Mista scored Valencia's third of the night while Mikel Arteta opened his account since returning to Spain by scoring Real Sociedad's consolation goal from the penalty spot.

However, Valencia suffered one setback on the night as Pablo Aimar limped off after setting Di Vaio up for the second goal with what looked like a muscle injury.

Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri opted to rest midfielder David Albelda, but decided to give Aimar his first Primera Liga start of the season, while Real's Jose Mari Amorrortu went into the game with a side affected by injuries.

Striker Darko Kovacevic was sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury while Oscar de Paula and central defender Igor Jauregi were also out.

That saw Nihat Kahveci play as a lone striker, while Arteta played an attacking midfield role in front of Mikel Alonso and Bittor Alkiza.

Valencia could have been three up after just 12 minutes but Di Vaio wasted two chances.

He first chipped straight at Real goalkeeper Asier Riesgo with just five minutes on the clock and then fired wide of the keeper's far post when set through by Ruben Baraja.

Vicente Rodriguez then hit the Real crossbar with Valencia dominating the opening stages of a game Real Sociedad were struggling to come to terms with.

Kovacevic's absence meant they were unable to hit any long passes and looking lightweight in attack, the visitors' best chances came from set pieces hit by Nihat and Arteta.

However, although Di Vaio saw another shot fly wide midway through the half, Real Sociedad gradually got their passing game together and began to get into the game.

Nevertheless, it Valencia who look the lead after 36 minutes.

Vicente hit a curling free kick from the right and Di Vaio's neat run earned him a free header at the near post, which he planted past the helpless Riesgo.

The Real Sociedad keeper saved his side from going two-goals down after 43 minutes, when Vicente's run down the left saw the ball sit up nicely for Miguel Angel Angulo on the edge of the area only for Riesgo to tip his shot inches past the post.

He could do nothing to stop Di Vaio scoring the second goal of the night after five minutes of the second half.

Aimar scurried down the left and had time and space to curl an inch-perfect cross to the Italian who planted his header into the back of the net.

Unfortunately for Valencia that was Aimar's last contribution to the game as he seemed to have picked up a strain and was replaced by Mista, back in the squad after Ranieri had sidelined him in recent games.

Mista celebrated his return to action by scoring his side's third of the night after 73 minutes with a neat far post header from Curro Torres' bouncing cross.

Arteta scored a penalty for Real 10 minutes from time after Emiliano Moretti handled Valery Karpin's cross.

[Lance Knight]

Osasuna 3-2 Betis Sevilla: FT Report

PA

PAMPLONA, September 18 (Primera Liga) - Osasuna came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a late Savo Milosevic goal seeing off struggling Real Betis.

In a thrilling match, Betis twice led through goals from Juan Andreu Melli and Luis Edu, but equalisers courtesy of John Aloisi and a comical Melli own goal gave the hosts the perfect platform to complete a dramatic victory.

It was a bittersweet evening for midfielder Melli who headed the visitors into the lead against the run of play after 32 minutes. Spain international Joaquin whipped in a dangerous corner and Melli nodded home past Ricardo Sanzol.

It knocked the stuffing out of Osasuna, who had earlier hit the woodwork when Morocco international Moha's shot from the left side of the penalty area crashed back off the post with Betis goalkeeper Antoni Prats stranded.

The hosts recovered their composure on the stroke of half-time and were again denied by the frame of the goal when Serbo-Montenegrin striker Milosevic shot with his right foot after great work by Juan Manuel Ortiz.

It seemed the second half could not come quickly enough for the Pamplona outfit as they set off like a caged animal that had just been released.

Within seven minutes of the restart Australian forward Aloisi put them back on level terms, and it seemed only a matter of time before their pressure reaped further rewards.

But Betis continued their useful habit of scoring against the run of play as they retook the lead just after the hour mark. Former Celta Vigo forward Edu rose majestically to fire a bullet header past a helpless Sanzol and stun the home fans.

That shock soon turned to comic celebration, however, as Melli scored the most calamitous of own goals to cancel out Betis' lead once again. What appeared to be a simple backpass to Prats caught the goalkeeper napping and the ball trickled over the line to the huge embarrassment of both players concerned.

Exuding the confidence that saw them secure a famous victory against Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor last week, Osasuna pushed for the win and summer signing Milosevic duly delivered the points when he got on the end of full-back Unai Exposito's cross from the left with less than 10 minutes remaining.

It was the striker's fourth goal in only three games this season as he sets about establishing himself as a goalscoring hero at the El Sadar stadium.

Defeat leaves Betis with only one point from their three matches so far, while their hosts continue to rub shoulders with the giants of Spanish football at the top of the Primera Liga.

[Leon of Silvren]

Real Sociedad has declined its game since 2002 when they almost win La Liga, sad to see such a great team with such bad results.

Di Vaio is performing excellent at the start of the season, I think he has 4 goals in 4 matches.

[zenden9]

Real Sociedad has declined its game since 2002 when they almost win La Liga, sad to see such a great team with such bad results.

Basically La Liga only got 4 great teams,Real Madrid,Barcelona,Valencia and Deportivo.All other spanish team which manage to finish 2nd or 3rd previously r false start.Celta Vigo? Finish 4th last 2 season and play in CL league after that struggle against relegation! Same like Real Sociedad case.