Real Madrid will be keen to keep up with Barcelona at the top of the table when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Flush from their extra-time win over arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, Real Madrid will welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
The Txuri-Urdinak are smarting from their Cup exit at the hands of Barcelona and will be keen to get back to winning ways. Having won five La Liga games on the trot leading to this weekend, the visitors could fancy their chances against a Real Madrid side still recovering from their extra-time exploits against Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid are currently three points off Barcelona at the top and cannot afford to fall further behind. Xavi Hernandez’s side, for all their inadequacies, have looked nigh on unbeatable domestically. As long as Carlo Ancelotti and co. keep within touching distance, there is always the chance that they can capitalise.
Imanol Alguacil’s side have built their success thanks to a solid defence that could prove difficult to break down. It could especially prove true should the Real Madrid players show fatigue. Either way, it will not be an easy game for Los Blancos.
A win will see Real Madrid keep up with Barcelona, potentially moving level on points should other results go their way. A loss for the home side will see Real Sociedad catch up with them on points, potentially even falling six points off the summit.
It promises to be an interesting game between the two sides most likely to challenge Barcelona for the title this season. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
🟠 🆚 🟣#RMCity pic.twitter.com/hmzjxWdXVT
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 28, 2023
Los Blancos will be without David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez after both players also missed the win over Atletico Madrid mid-week. They join Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal, who are nursing calf and muscle issues, respectively.
Ferland Mendy is the latest addition to the absentees’ list after he picked up a knock to his thigh against Atletico. It is not all bad news as Rodrygo Goes has been declared fit to face Real Sociedad. Eden Hazard is also in contention after recovering from an ankle injury.
Real Madrid have been vulnerable at the back following the World Cup and could be there for the taking. Add to it the fatigue following extra time midweek, and there is every reason to believe they cannot afford to drop their guard.
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to retain his 4-3-3 formation given the personnel at his disposal. Thibaut Courtois should start in goal behind the back four of Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman will be expected to act as emergency cover on the left in Mendy’s absence.
This should allow Dani Ceballos to partner with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the middle of the pitch. Federico Valverde is likely to start on the right, with Vinicius Jr occupying the other flank.
Karim Benzema should lead the line and provide the focal point for Real Madrid’s attack. Rodrygo is unlikely to be thrust into the starting XI and is likely to come off the bench as an impact player if needed.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Kroos, Ceballos, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have a lengthy injury list to contend with. David Silva, Martin Merquelanz, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Alex Sola, Mikel Merino, Andoni Gorosabel, Jon Pacheco, Ander Guevara and Sadiq Umar are all ruled out, leaving the visitors with few options.
Brais Mendez received his marching orders against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey mid-week. But thankfully for Imanol Alguacil, the suspension does not carry over to La Liga. The 26-year-old is expected to make the cut on the night.
Real Sociedad can call upon Mikel Oyarzabal, who recently recovered from his ligament injury. While the Spanish veteran is not back to his best yet, his return will provide the visitors with some spark upfront.
📋 Our squad for tomorrow’s clash. AUPA REAL!!!#RealMadridRealSociedad | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/BrYAaaxrBp
— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) January 28, 2023
Alguacil is likely to retain his 4-3-1-2 formation on the night, with Alex Remiro in goal behind the reliable back four of Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Robin Le Normand and Diego Rico.
Brais Mendez, Martin Zubimendi, and Pablo Marin should form the midfield trio and will come up against Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Shackling the two veterans could kill Real Madrid’s momentum in midfield and limit the service to the forward three.
With Silva out, Takefusa Kubo is likely to don the number 10 role, playing between the lines to feed the strike duo of Oyarzabal and Alexander Sorloth. The latter has scored in five consecutive La Liga games and will be the man to watch out for in the visitors’ frontline.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo; Oyarzabal, Sorloth
Key Stats
- Real Madrid are currently on a six-game unbeaten run against Real Sociedad in the league. Their last defeat to Sociedad came in May 2019 under Zinedine Zidane.
- Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 15 home games to Real Sociedad in La Liga. Coincidentally it also came in 2019.
- A win on the night will see Real Sociedad win away consecutive games against teams from Madrid for the first time since 2013.
- Real Madrid have lost just once in their last 36 home games in La Liga.
- A win on the night will see Real Sociedad win six games on the trot for the first time in La Liga since 2020.
Player to Watch
Karim Benzema
The French veteran has defied his age in recent months and has been Real Madrid’s difference-maker up front. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner has made it a habit of popping up when needed and is likely to be tested by the Sociedad defence.
Imanol Alguacil’s side have been resolute at the back and will be well structured, to begin with. Benzema often can be trusted to make use of his experience and reading of the game to inflict damage. There is every reason to believe that the Frenchman will be the biggest threat to the Sociedad rearguard.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have picked up 21 points from their nine away games in La Liga this season and have the third-best record in the Spanish top flight. Despite the injuries, Imanol Alguacil and his men should give Real Madrid a run for their money. But the home side’s quality in personnel should see them through in the end. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 2-1 win for Los Blancos.
