Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid

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As La Liga resumes, Real Sociedad hosts Atletico Madrid at the Reale Arena on October 6, 2024, at 8 PM UK time. Both teams are eager to bounce back after disappointing defeats in their respective European campaigns. Real Sociedad sits at 14th in the league, having garnered just eight points from their opening eight matches. In contrast, Atletico Madrid is in a stronger position, occupying fourth place with 16 points from the same number of games. This clash promises to be crucial for both teams as they strive to improve their fortunes.

Preview

Real Sociedad's start to the season has been underwhelming, scoring only six goals in eight league fixtures. After an encouraging 3-0 win against Valencia, their form quickly dipped, culminating in a disappointing 2-1 loss to Anderlecht in the Europa League. The pressure is mounting on head coach Imanol Alguacil to maximize the potential of his talented squad and secure a vital victory against a strong Atletico side that has historically dominated this fixture.

Atletico Madrid enters the match seeking redemption after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League. Despite this setback, they have shown promise in La Liga, remaining unbeaten in their first eight matches with a record of four wins and four draws. Diego Simeone’s squad aims to capitalize on their form and reinforce their title aspirations with a much-needed victory.

Key Players

Real Sociedad: Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi is pivotal in midfield for Real Sociedad, possessing a blend of defensive skills and playmaking abilities. His exceptional passing range and tactical awareness enable him to dictate the tempo of the game. After opting to stay with the club despite interest from Liverpool, Zubimendi will be looking to showcase his loyalty and prove his worth. His ability to break up opposition attacks and transition play will be crucial against an aggressive Atletico midfield.

Real Sociedad: Mikel Oyarzabal
As one of Sociedad’s key attacking threats, Oyarzabal is renowned for his dribbling skills and goal-scoring prowess. The Spanish international can change the outcome of a match with his creativity and technical ability. Having returned from injury, he will aim to provide the attacking impetus and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Oyarzabal’s ability to take on defenders and find the back of the net will be essential for Sociedad's success against a formidable Atletico defense.

Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann’s experience and tactical intelligence make him a crucial asset for Atletico Madrid. A versatile forward, he excels in linking play and creating goal-scoring opportunities. Griezmann has a knack for finding space in crowded areas, making him a constant threat to opposing defenses. After a stellar start to the season, he will be eager to bounce back from the team's European disappointment and contribute significantly to Atletico’s attacking output.

Atletico Madrid: Julian Alvarez
The young Argentine forward has been making waves since joining Atletico, showing remarkable pace and technical skill. Alvarez’s ability to stretch defenses and his clinical finishing have made him a key player for Simeone’s side. His partnership with Griezmann is vital, as they complement each other well, creating a dynamic attacking duo. With the confidence from his performances this season, Alvarez will be looking to capitalize on any defensive lapses from Real Sociedad.

Team News

Real Sociedad will be without Igor Zubeldia, Hamari Traore, and Arsen Zakharyan due to injury. Coach Alguacil is expected to make changes from the Europa League lineup, recalling players like Nayef Aguerd, Takefusa Kubo, and Sergio Gomez to invigorate the squad.

Atletico Madrid faces its own injury woes, missing Robin Le Normand, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Pablo Barrios. Marcos Llorente will also be unavailable due to suspension. Nevertheless, Conor Gallagher and Nahuel Molina are set to return to the starting XI after starting on the bench against Benfica, while the duo of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez is anticipated to lead the attack.

Possible Lineups

Real Sociedad is expected to adopt a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Álex Remiro will provide a solid presence. The defensive line will consist of Andoni Aramburu and Nayef Aguerd as center-backs, with José Luis Gaya and Aritz Elustondo occupying the full-back positions. The midfield trio will feature Martin Zubimendi at the base, flanked by Sergio Gomez and Luka Sucic, who will contribute both defensively and in transitioning the ball forward. Up front, Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Ander Barrenetxea will lead the attack, with Kubo and Oyarzabal providing pace and creativity on the wings, while Barrenetxea plays centrally, looking to link up play and finish chances.

Atletico Madrid is likely to deploy a 4-4-2 formation, aiming for a balance between defensive solidity and attacking prowess. Jan Oblak will start in goal, known for his shot-stopping ability. The backline will feature Nahuel Molina and Reinildo Mandava as full-backs, with Jose Maria Gimenez and Axel Witsel as the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul and Koke will work centrally, providing creativity and control, while Conor Gallagher and Matheus Cunha will occupy the flanks, adding width and pace. Up front, the experienced duo of Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez will spearhead the attack, looking to exploit defensive lapses and convert chances into goals.

Prediction

Given Atletico’s recent form and their desire to bounce back from the heavy defeat to Benfica, they are expected to edge a closely contested match against Real Sociedad. The prediction leans towards a 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid, who will look to exploit Sociedad's defensive vulnerabilities while seeking to build momentum heading into the international break.