The Pride Of San Sebastián: A Real Sociedad Dynasty

[orion523]

Quote: Originally Posted by southernmetalhead

Nice run of form you have going, despite the latest draw. I've had some issues recently with poor finishing as well. Very frustrating, but it's also what makes the game great.

Dropping point against a bad team like that is really really frustrating, especially when the Champions League is slowly slipping away, but as you said it's part of what makes the game so great.

[orion523]

La Liga Match Day #28
30 March 2013
Estadi Cornellá-El Prat, Barcelona

Espanyol 2-3 Real Sociedad

Scoring Summary
5' Christian Stuani - Esp
29' Antoine Griezmann - RS
34' Xabi Prieto - RS
47' Simão Sabrosa
86' Xabi Prieto

Thrilling Win By Sociedad Makes The Specter Of Relegation All Too Real For Espanyol


The agony of defeat sets in for Espanyol

In what many will say was the match of the season, Champions League seeking Real Sociedad took on survival seeking Espanyol at the Cornellá-El Prat and the results were nothing less than explosive, as the clubs went at it fast and furious for the full 90 minutes, and despite a herculean effort by the relegation threatened side from Catalunya, it was the visitors from Basque country who came out on top, winning by the score of 3-2 on a wicked Xabi Prieto turn and shoot from 12 yards at the 86' minute mark.
With the win, La Real now sit in 5th place with a record of 15-6-7(51 points), one point ahead of 6th placed Malaga(15-5-9) and six points behind 4th placed Atlético Madrid(17-6-3), the clubs who just so happen to be La Real's next two opponents.
On a side note, CB Mikel Gonzalez who's battled injury problems over the past month may be lost for the season after dislocating his shoulder in a fall against Espanyol.

Results From Around La Liga

26 March 2013
Getafe 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Real Valladolid 0-1 Malaga
Valencia 2-0 Real Betis

30 March 2013
Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Malaga
Espanyol 2-3 Real Sociedad
Real Betis 1-0 Getafe
Real Valladolid 0-2 Osasuna

31 March 2013
Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Granada
Celta de Vigo 1-1 Barcelona
Levante 1-2 Sevilla
Mallorca 1-2 Deportivo
Real Zaragoza 1-1 Real Madrid

2 April 2013
Malaga 1-1 Espanyol

[orion523]

Liga BBVA Table
5 April 2013

Liga BBVA Table: 5 April 2013
TEAM	GP	W	D	L	PTS
1. FC Barcelona	27	22	3	2	69
2. Real Madrid	27	18	7	2	61
3. Valencia	28	17	7	4	58
4. Atlético Madrid	26	17	6	3	57
5. Real Sociedad	28	15	6	7	51
6. Malaga	29	15	5	9	50
7. Sevilla	29	12	10	7	46
8. Real Zaragoza	29	12	7	10	43
9. Rayo Vallecano	28	11	7	10	40
10. Real Betis	29	10	8	11	38
11. Levante	29	10	6	13	36
12. Athletic Bilbao	29	9	5	15	32
13. Deportivo de La Coruña	29	7	10	12	31
14. Getafe	29	7	8	14	29
15. Mallorca	28	7	8	13	29
16. Osasuna	28	5	12	11	27
17. Celta de Vigo	29	5	8	16	23
18. Granada	29	5	6	18	21
19. Real Valladolid	29	3	10	16	19
20. Espanyol	29	3	9	17	18

[southernmetalhead]

Wow, Atlético has 2 games in hand. This is going to be a challenge for that final Champions League spot.

[orion523]

La Liga Match Day #29
6 April 2013
Anoeta, San Sebastián

Real Sociedad 2-1 Málaga

Scoring Summary
17' Isco
54' Antoine Griezmann
76' Asier Illarramendi

Second Half Surge Spells Victory For Sociedad


Left back Alberto de la Bella leads charge towards match winner Illarra

In the first of two games in four days that could turn out to be season defining, Real Sociedad shrugged off an awful first half with a resounding effort in the second that culminated with an inspired 76th minute effort by Asier Illarramendi which ended with him slashing the ball home from 22 yards to put the home side in front by 2-1 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Stung by the turn of events, and in need of some type of a result, a suddenly rejuvenated Malaga side threw everything they had at La Real, making for some dramatic football, but despite their effort, an equalizer was not on the cards and Real Sociedad held on for the 2-1 triumph, making it six straight without a loss.

Results From Around La Liga

6 April 2013
Osasuna 0-2 Espanyol
Real Madrid 4-0 Levante
Real Sociedad 2-1 Malaga
Sevilla 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
Valencia 3-1 Real Valladolid

7 April 2013
Celta de Vigo 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona 3-0 Mallorca
Getafe 1-0 Atlético Madrid
Granada 1-1 Real Betis
Deportivo 2-3 Real Zaragoza

-With a record of 7-1-0 in their last eight games, Valencia have stormed into third position with 61 points, putting themselves four points clear of Atlético Madrid who do have two games in hand.

[orion523]

La Liga Match Day #30
10 April 2013
Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid

Atlético Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad

Scoring Summary
40' Radamel Falcao(p) - AM
45' Radamel Falcao - AM
60' Kader - AM
62' Diego Ifrán - RS

Brilliance Of Falcao Too Much For Sociedad To Overcome For La Real Who Lose Griezmann To Injury


Atlético striker Radamel Falcao proved why he's one of the best in the business

A cheeky 40th minute penalty conversion by Radamel Falcao was followed less than five minutes later by a spectacular highlight reel effort by the Colombian in which he viciously bicycled home a headed pass from Arda Turan to give his club a 2-0 halftime lead on their way to a convincing 3-1 victory over 5th placed Real Sociedad who not only lost the match, but also lost winger Antoine Griezmann to a broken ankle early on in the contest. The loss of Griezmann is especially painful for the club due to his speed and creativity out wide, but with Rayo Vallecano on deck just two days out, manager Phillippe Montanier must somehow find a way to keep his club focused and ready as they prepare for the biggest run-in in years.

Results From Around La Liga

10 April 2013
Atlético Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona

-with their victory in El Clássico, Real Madrid have suddenly closed to within five points of Barcelona with nine games left for each

[orion523]

Quote: Originally Posted by southernmetalhead

Wow, Atlético has 2 games in hand. This is going to be a challenge for that final Champions League spot.

Atlético is going to overtake Valencia eventually, it's just a matter of time. That said obviously my focus is on them, and as of now we sit 7 points behind them, so it's going to be very very difficult to say the least.

[orion523]

La Liga Match Day #31
13 April 2013
Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid

Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Real Sociedad

Scoring Summary
29' Xabi Prieto - RS
45' Gorka Elustondo - RS
61' Carlos Vela - RS
72' José Carlos(p) - RV
85' Alejandro Domínguez- RV

Early Dominance Paves The Way To Sociedad Victory


With the win, Sociedad close in on Europe

Xabi Prieto's electrifying free kick goal from 29 yards set the tone for the visiting Real Sociedad who jumped out to a commanding 3-0 just past the hour mark, but a very soft penalty call on Aleksandar Dragovic coupled with the ensuing conversion gave new life to home side Rayo Vallecano who would eventually cut the lead to 3-2 before ultimately falling by that same score here in Madrid.

Results From Around La Liga

13 April 2013
Malaga 2-1 Osasuna
Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Real Sociedad
Espanyol 1-2 Valencia
Real Betis 2-0 Sevilla
Real Valladolid 1-1 Getafe

14 April 2013
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid
Atlético Madrid 4-1 Granada
Levante 1-2 Deportivo
Mallorca 1-1 Celta de Vigo
Real Zaragoza 0-2 Barcelona

17 April 2013
FC Barcelona 4-0 Rayo Vallecano