Real Madrid manager José Mourinho praised Real Sociedad after his side's 4-1 victory in the opening La Liga match. The Portuguese coach highlighted the composure and style of the Basque team at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Sociedad left the pitch with a defeat but made a positive impression on their opponents. Mourinho acknowledged that the San Sebastián side was hard to press and remained calm during the first half, managing only one shot on target. The game changed after the break, with Madrid scoring four goals and potentially reaching five or six, according to the manager.
What did Mourinho say about Real Sociedad?
The Madrid boss was very clear in his assessment of the opposition. "I really liked the team’s composure in the face of difficulty", Mourinho stated in the press conference. He explained that Spanish teams like Real Sociedad enjoy playing with the ball and are not afraid to face big teams. He used Espanyol and Real Sociedad as examples of sides that tried to play their own game and win.
Mourinho also pointed out a tactical detail he observed. He noted that Real Sociedad played with large distances between their centre-backs, which made it difficult for Madrid to press high. This defensive organization, however, could not contain the home side's shift into a higher gear in the second half.
How does Real Sociedad face the start of the season?
The defeat at the Bernabéu leaves Real Sociedad in a tricky position early in the campaign. The team sits 14th in the La Liga table, with 3 points from a possible 9. Their record is one win and two losses, with a goal difference of -3 (3 scored, 6 conceded).
These numbers reflect an irregular start, compounded by the absence of two key players. Pablo Marín and Álvaro Odriozola are currently sidelined with injuries, an issue the team must manage in a busy schedule. The next fixture is against bottom-placed Celta Vigo at the Reale Arena this Thursday, September 3rd. It's a key opportunity to earn points and improve their standing.
What changes did Mourinho make during the match?
The Portuguese manager made halftime adjustments that proved decisive. Mourinho mentioned he corrected "two or three things" in the dressing room. One of his philosophies was clear: "I don’t like players warming up during halftime.".
On the pitch, his substitutions were pragmatic. He substituted Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian scored a goal, thinking about the match in three days and his need for rest. He also replaced Carrillos with Marc Cucurella due to a yellow card. In contrast, he left Kylian Mbappé on for the full 90 minutes, hoping the forward might score four goals.
What is Real Sociedad's context in the league?
The loss to leaders Real Madrid leaves Real Sociedad six points off the top after the first few matchdays. Imanol Alguacil's team needs to find consistency quickly to climb towards the European places. With an average of only one goal per game, the attack must improve, especially with Pablo Marín unavailable.
The immediate schedule, which you can check on our fixtures page, offers a chance to react. After facing Celta, Real Sociedad will play a series of matches that will define their early trajectory. The squad, whose full status is available on our squad page, has the quality to turn things around, but consistency will be the key.
