All you need to know about Real Sociedad’s path through the Europa League round of 16 against Roma.
Real Sociedad are back in UEFA competition, returning to the Europa League knockout stage under coach Imanol Alguacil. Their round of 16 clash pits them against Roma, a pairing drawn on February 24 that set up a two-legged confrontation with plenty at stake for both clubs.
Subscribers can follow Europa League action through Movistar via Orange TV, with coverage spanning the 2022-2023 season.
Royal Society vs. Rome, 2022-2023 Europa League Round of 16: date, day, time, and venue for both legs
The Basque side earned their spot in the round of 16 by topping their group in the UEFA Europa League, a run that included notable results against Manchester United, Sheriff, and Omonia. Their group success also secured seed status after advancing through the playoff stage of the round of 32, where the winners between the Europa League runners-up and the third-placed team in the Champions League were decided.
In the knockout draw, Real Sociedad faced several potential opponents, including Spanish rivals, but ultimately drew Roma. Other possible matches that were on the board included Union Berlin, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar, and Sporting Lisbon—the last participant being the team they faced in the end. This round marks a first official meeting between Real Sociedad and Roma, although the Basques have a mixed history against Italian sides, facing clubs like Napoli, Juventus, and Inter in prior European campaigns. Historically, they have faced Italian teams six times, with a sole win against Inter in the 1979 UEFA competition, and two-appearance ties with Juventus and Napoli in different European formats, yielding a mix of draws and losses.
The Round of 16 is structured as two legs. The first leg was hosted by Roma in Rome on March 9, 2023, with the return leg scheduled a week later in San Sebastian’s Anoeta Stadium. The venue shifts and travel add strategic pressure, as each side must balance domestic league duties with the knockout tie’s demands.
The pairing represented a fresh challenge for Real Sociedad, giving them a chance to prove themselves against a storied Italian club. Roma’s players and tactics offered a stern test, and the tie was watched closely by supporters across both nations. For fans planning to follow the competition, the matchup was a reminder that European football blends intense rivalry with high-stakes football culture, where every matchday brings the potential for memorable moments.
As the rounds progressed, analysts highlighted the tactical contrasts between Real Sociedad’s methodical build-up play and Roma’s dynamic approach under their manager. The outcome would hinge on securing away goals, home advantage, and the ability to translate early control into two positive results across the two legs. For fans and neutrals alike, the Roma versus Real Sociedad clash served as a focal point of the Europa League knockout phase, illustrating why the competition continues to captivate audiences across Europe.