Real Sociedad secured their first win of the La Liga season on Saturday, beating RCD Espanyol 2-1 at the Reale Arena. The matchday three fixture gave the Basque side three points after a difficult start that had left them bottom of the table.
Ander Barrenetxea opened the scoring in the fourth minute from a Mikel Oyarzabal pass. Espanyol equalized just before halftime through a goal from Roberto, his third of the campaign, making him the provisional joint top scorer. La Real went ahead again in the 61st minute when Óskarsson finished another precise assist from Oyarzabal. Rino Matarazzo's team managed the lead well despite the manager and his assistant Toprak being sent off for protesting.
How decisive was Oyarzabal's performance?
Mikel Oyarzabal was the architect of the txuri-urdin victory. The captain provided both decisive assists, showcasing his vision and passing accuracy. His early ball to Barrenetxea unsettled Espanyol from the start, and his measured cross for Óskarsson in the second half decided the game. His influence was constant, linking midfield and attack and posing a persistent problem for the visiting defense.
Oyarzabal's work was complemented by a solid performance in midfield, where Sucic was very influential, and by the good work of Sergio Gómez on the left wing. The team showed a notable improvement compared to their first two outings, which had left them with zero points, one goal scored and five conceded.
What changes did Matarazzo make to the lineup?
Manager Rino Matarazzo made four changes to the starting eleven from the previous match. He brought in Zubeldia, Carlos Soler, Óskarsson and Barrenetxea from the start. These moves provided greater solidity and freshness, especially in attack, where Barrenetxea's speed and Óskarsson's presence were key.
The lineup responded well, although the match had tense moments. Captain Igor Zubeldia had to temporarily leave the pitch when goalkeeper Álex Remiro received medical attention, an episode related to a new rule introduced at the latest World Cup. Zubeldia also received a yellow card in added time.
What's next for Real Sociedad?
With this win, Real Sociedad moves off the bottom of the table and gains confidence for the immediate future. Their next La Liga commitment is on Thursday, September 3rd against Celta Vigo, who sit 14th, in another home match. The three points are a relief, but the team still has a negative goal difference (-4) and is seven points behind leaders Alavés.
The schedule now intensifies and the team must build on this foundation. Fans can follow the squad's evolution on our squad page and check the upcoming agenda on the fixtures. The victory over Espanyol is a first step, but consistency will define their season. The immediate objective is to get points again against Celta to move further away from the lower reaches of the standings.
