Real Sociedad’s Nail-Biting Endings: A Double-Edged Sword

Real Sociedad is developing a concerning habit of experiencing thrilling match endings, where goals can either secure points or cost them dearly. In four out of the last six matches this season, particularly in the last eleven, the outcomes have fortunately favored the txuriurdin on two occasions. However, in most of these encounters, the Guipuzcoan team had already created ample scoring opportunities that could have led to a more advantageous scoreline.

At the onset of LaLiga, Real Sociedad did not witness many exciting finishes; the most notable was during the eighth round when Rayo Vallecano scored a decisive goal in the 0-1 victory at Anoeta, intensifying a crisis that culminated in the dismissal of Sergio Francisco during the holiday break due to a dip in performance.

The ninth round marked the beginning of this newfound ‘affinity’ for dramatic last-minute moments, as Carlos Soler equalized the score against Celta at Balaídos in the 89th minute to save a point, despite Real Sociedad dominating possession with 59% and recording 17 attempts at goal compared to just four from the hosts.

A few matches later, Real Sociedad was rewarded again just before the final whistle during the derby at Anoeta. In the 92nd minute, Gorrotxategi scored to put them ahead 3-2 against Athletic Bilbao, marking their third lead under the management of Sergio Francisco, who had overseen a slightly superior performance. Shortly thereafter, Oyarzabal converted a penalty to equalize 1-1 against Elche in the 89th minute, in a match where either team could have secured victory.

However, the players soon realized that not all late-game scenarios end favorably. Villarreal triumphed with a 3-2 victory at San Sebastián, scoring in the 95th minute. A few matches later, Levante scored a last-minute equalizer in the 94th minute, denying Jon Ansotegi a successful interim management stint following Sergio’s dismissal and prior to the arrival of Pellegrino Matarazzo.

In his debut against Atlético, the Italian-American coach experienced firsthand the difficulty Real Sociedad faces in finding the back of the net, as the team made 18 attempts yet managed just one goal for a draw. In Getafe, they again squandered numerous opportunities and nearly jeopardized a well-deserved victory when Juanmi equalized in the 90th minute. However, in a dramatic turn, Aramburu scored the 1-2 winning goal in the 96th minute, marking another thrilling finish, though it is crucial to avoid such nail-biting scenarios, especially when they deserve a win or draw from earlier efforts.