Real Sociedad: Home to some of Europe’s most exciting youngsters
With a tantalizing array of young attacking talent, Real Sociedad are taking La Liga by storm in 2019.
Through 13 matches, Real Sociedad sit just two points from the La Liga summit. This is unfamiliar territory for La Real, as although Barcelona and Real Madrid each have a game in hand, they are well and truly in contention to play Champions League football next year.
2019 has been the most competitive start to a La Liga season in recent memory; all of Spain’s traditional Big Three have struggled, and even newly-promoted Granada have sat top of the league. With just six points separating 10th and top spot, this could be an enthralling race for the top four.
Sociedad have taken full advantage thus far, sitting in fifth and just one point off of the top four with the third most goals scored in La Liga. This team is committed to attack-minded football under manager Imanol Alguacil, who worked his way up from the club’s youth levels and B side, and have some of Europe’s hottest talent.
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Players such as Mikel Oyarzabal, who has been heavily linked to Manchester City, on-loan Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Ødegaard, along with veterans such as Portu, Willian José, and Nacho Monreal give this team the perfect recipe for success.
Oyarzabal leads La Liga with five assists, while Ødegaard also sits in the top ten with three. Former Premier League players Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Merino have also flourished for Sociedad this season.
The San Sebastián-based club has finished 9th and 12th in the last two seasons, and haven’t finished in the top four since the 2012-13 season. After years of middling in mid-table, this could be the year for the Basque club to make a serious impact on the league, and perhaps even finish above one of the Big Three.
There will be tough competition for this year’s Champions League places, however. Last year’s Cinderella story, Getafe, who finished just two points off the top four a year ago, are back in contention. Sevilla remain a constant threat, while local rivals Athletic Bilbao and last season’s fourth place finisher Valencia are coming up from behind.
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With an exciting brand of attacking football, Sociedad look poised to make real noise in the Spanish top flight this season. It will not come easily, but with some of the league’s most exciting talent, it could be a special season in the Basque Country.