Real Sociedad host Atletico Madrid this Saturday in a must-win game, with both sides level on seven points after five rounds and the Basque club still without a La Liga win over Atletico since the 2-0 at Anoeta on 14 September 2019, scored by Odegaard and Monreal.
A run stretching back seven years
Since that victory, Atletico have won eight times and drawn five against Real Sociedad in the league. The record flips in the Copa del Rey: the Basques knocked Atletico out in 2019 and again on their way to the title they lifted on penalties on 18 April, as Marca reported.
Atletico arrive with doubts
Atletico are holding on to the moments of great football displayed in the first half of their last two visits to San Mames and Anfield, before Athletic Club and Liverpool punished their mistakes. Barcelona, five points clear at the top, are watching the title race closely.
Real Sociedad ninth, without Odriozola
The Basque club sit ninth with seven points, built on two wins, a draw and two defeats from five games, after coming from behind to win 2-3 at Elche on 7 September. Alvaro Odriozola remains sidelined and misses out on the squad list.
The full squad, including current absences, is listed on our squad page, while this season's six goals scored and eight conceded appear on our stats page.
Real Sociedad arrive at the match after coming from behind at Elche (2-3) on September 7th, according to official data. The goals were scored by J. Ochieng, Y. Herrera and L. Sucic. Atlético, for their part, are without Alexander Sørloth, injured until the end of the month. Verified data places the txuri-urdin team in 9th place, with seven points and a goal difference of -2.
Atlético arrives at Anoeta with defensive doubts. Coach Diego Simeone is looking for balance after the errors in Bilbao and Liverpool. Centre-back Cuti Romero, a starter at Anfield, will repeat in San Sebastián. The txuri-urdin team, 11th in La Liga with seven points, has Álvaro Odriozola injured and Jon Martín suspended. The youth player Luken Beitia is in the squad.
Atlético arrives at Anoeta with the confirmed absence of Pablo Barrios. The midfielder suffered a muscular injury in his leg and will not be available for the clash. Manager Diego Simeone insisted the team needs "to find the balance between attack and defence". Real Sociedad, 11th in La Liga with seven points, faces the match with Álvaro Odriozola injured and Jon Martín suspended.
The midfielder suffered a muscular injury in his leg and will not be available for the match. Coach Diego Simeone insisted the team needs "to find the balance between attack and defence".
