Real Sociedad face a demanding path in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League group stage following a tough draw held this week. The Basque side will face giants like Juventus of Italy in their European campaign.
The blue-and-white team, grappling with a difficult start to the La Liga season sitting 20th with zero points after two defeats, will look for a boost in continental competition. Their next league fixture is at home against Espanyol on August 29th, a key match to try and escape the bottom spot, having scored one goal and conceded five so far.
Which teams are in Real Sociedad's group?
Real Sociedad will not compete in a traditional group but in an expanded league phase. Their home matches at the Reale Arena (Anoeta) will be against Olympique Lyon of France, Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic, Bournemouth of England, and Torreense of Portugal. The away trips look even more challenging, with visits to Juventus in Turin, Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium, Crystal Palace of England, and Lillestrom of Norway.
The objective for all clubs is to finish in the top eight of this league phase to advance directly to the round of 16, a more straightforward path to the final on May 26, 2027, at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany. The outlet ABC Deportes described the draw as particularly harsh for the Spanish representatives, noting that Real Sociedad came off worst of all.
How does the schedule affect Imanol's team?
The fixture congestion comes at a delicate time for the squad. With only one league goal scored and a six-point deficit to leaders Barcelona, every match is vital. The team must manage its efforts between the demanding Europa League and the need to climb the domestic table. You can follow the team's progress on our stats page and the full schedule in our fixtures section.
The presence of Crystal Palace, winners of the last UEFA Conference League, adds another heavyweight opponent to Real Sociedad's path. The other Spanish representative in the competition, Celta de Vigo, will also have to give their all to overcome this initial stage.
What about Bordalás's Getafe in the Conference League?
The other Spanish club in European competition this season is Getafe, who will play in the UEFA Conference League. Their manager, José Bordalás, will visit the home of Ajax Amsterdam, a top-tier rival managed by Spanish coach Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz 'Míchel' and with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen between the posts.
Getafe's other opponents in the Conference League will be Universitatea Craiova of Romania and Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia. At their Coliseum stadium, they will host Brighton of England, Lugano of Switzerland, and Inter Club d'Escaldes of Andorra. The final of this competition is scheduled for June 2, 2027, at the Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
What is the next step for Real Sociedad?
The immediate focus is on domestic league performance. Before thinking about Europe, Real Sociedad need to find a win in La Liga to move away from the relegation places. The squad has the quality to turn the situation around, but the pressure mounts with each matchday. Performance in the coming weeks, both at home against Espanyol and in the European travels, will set the tone for the entire season. The current standings, available in our league table section, highlight the urgency of the task.
