Real Sociedad Falls Short Against Roma in Europa League Showdown

txuri-urdin’s squad, believed by many to be above Mourinho’s side, failed to find the net and bowed out of the competition.

Real Sociedad left everything on the pitch, persistently hunting for a breakthrough, but Rui Patricio and a compact defensive wall masterminded by Mourinho kept the ball out of the goal. Mikel Oyarzabal had a golden chance to flip the tie in the second half: a clean one-on-one saved by Patricio and a follow-up that struck the crossbar kept the scoreline stubbornly level.

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Sorloth and Zubeldia, unmarked at headers, also looked capable of altering the outcome, yet the day belonged to Roma. Real Sociedad exits Seville as the sole representative of Spanish football in the Europa League quarter-finals.

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Minute by minute Real Sociedad vs. Roma in the Europa League

Press conferences and post-match remarks from Real Sociedad vs. Roma

Jose Mourinho in Movistar+: “It’s been tough, very tough, but our progress has been earned. We knew the stadium would be intense, and we managed to lower the atmosphere as the match progressed.”

Imanol Bailiff at a press conference: “We came very close to leveling the score. It’s hard for a team like Roma to force danger, yet small details decide games. Even if the goal had arrived in the 80th minute, we would have dreamed of a comeback. Everything suggested that if we had scored first, the tie could have swung in our favor.”

“I can only thank the fans for their warm reception, from start to finish. If the players and I feel frustrated about this elimination, it means we were close, but my disappointment in the first leg reflected that we were near but could not advance.”

“Since the group stage, the work has been nonstop. The team has grown enormously. I am prouder today than yesterday of what we have achieved, and we must keep improving and take steps in Europe.”

“It’s about creating chances and having more than the opponent, and we were at least equal in that regard. Regardless of Roma’s approach, the draw was fair because the areas crash and Roma were better in the final execution. The team will emerge stronger for the rest of the season, and not many teams can claim to have contested the Europa League like us.”

“I’m not worried about the lack of goals; the main thing is to generate chances. The team, facing Mourinho’s Roma in a low block, produced many opportunities. I critique myself as harshly as the players, and we must keep improving to avoid failing to create and convert.”

“The Champions League remains the ultimate objective, because we are fourth and want to stay there.”

Mourinho at a press conference: “We are an Italian side, and we suffered from first to last. Smalling’s goal was correctly ruled out, but the draw turned dangerous.”

“If Cristante cannot play, we are in trouble. When fresh, he deserves huge credit. He did not start on Sunday due to suspension and today he showed why he was selected. His tactical intelligence and movements helped him perform well.”

“Discussing individuals is not productive; today was a team victory and the focus should be on the collective performance.”

“It will be hard to stay in optimal physical condition. Problems appear. Matic did not participate today. In two days there will be more matches, then a break and the Europa League resumes… The bench was thin in midfield. Those who played built a valuable experience, but more games will bring fatigue.”

“It is important for Italian football to regain prestige in Europe, because attention tends to center on the teams that win the Champions League: England, Spain, Bayern, Real Madrid… There are three Italian teams in the Champions League. Roma and Juventus are present here, even though some would rather leave the league.”

Imanol Sheriff in Movistar+: “It was unfortunate for the team’s commitment and play. Mourinho’s Roma defended hard. They hardly granted us chances, and scoring first would have given us a chance to dream bigger.”

Videos, lineups and updates from Real Sociedad vs. Roma in the Europa League

90′ + 7 FINAL! Real Sociedad is eliminated despite an admirable display. Carlos Fernández received a red card after a clash with Smalling.

90′ Seven minutes of stoppage time.

Mourinho uses up his substitutions

76′ Real Sociedad keeps pressing. Kubo fired a shot from a long distance that missed the target after a chase for a loose ball.

74′ Zubeldia nearly scored! A superb cross from Brais Méndez found a central defender entering with power from a tight angle, but the header rose just over the bar.

67′ OYARZABAL MISSED A DOUBLE CHANCE! He converted a corner from ten txuri-urdin players who combined neatly: first Patricio saved, then the crossbar refused the equalizer. It was almost written in the stars, but the goal did not arrive.

62′ Carlos Fernández came on for Sorloth.

61′ Real Sociedad regained the intensity from the earlier phase and pressed Roma into their own half. Robert Ibáñez picked up an injury on the ground.

53′ Oops Brais! A fine move on the left saw Diego Rico thread a ball to finish, but Wijnaldum blocked the attempt at point-blank range.

46′ SORLOTH MISSED! The Norwegian headed a cross from Brais Méndez just wide after a solitary run into the box.

The second half began with Real Sociedad pushing for a breakthrough. 45′ + 5 The scoreless first half ends as Roma shut down space and Real Sociedad searched for openings. They will need a strong second half to overturn the tie.

45′ + 1 GOAL CANCELED FOR ROME! Smalling appeared to score with his hand near the finish line, but the whistle spared Real Sociedad from a late concession. The guests had energy to spare but the clearance held firm.

45′ The pace slowed as Roma tightened their defense and Real Sociedad looked to unlock the compact block. Five minutes of added time announced.

40′ Karsdorp carried off after a clash with Diego Rico; Roma’s defender could not continue.

30′ Another big save from Silva? He tracked a loose ball, found Oyarzabal who in turn fed Merino, who shot into Rui Patricio’s hands.

29′ Real Sociedad crafted a bright move finished by Brais Méndez; Patricio saved the attempt, marking the first shot on target for the home side.

22′ Diego Rico tried from distance after a corner, but the ball sailed wide.

14′ DYBALA ON THE EDGE: He fired from just outside the box after a free-kick, and Sorloth’s intervention nearly turned it into a frame-own goal. The ball drifted wide.

12′ Zubeldia was booked for a tough tackle on Spinazzola. A narrow path to a quarter-final exit loomed for Real Sociedad if the tie stayed level.

10′ Early minutes showed Roma in control, but Real Sociedad grew into the match and started asserting pressure.

1′ The ball rolled in San Sebastián. Real Sociedad set out to overturn the deficit.

the hobby txuri-urdin believe in a comeback

And with these eleven players, Roma aimed to secure their advantage. Mourinho altered the lineup with four changes compared to the previous leg: Ibáñez, Mancini, Spinazzola and Wijnaldum entering the lineup

This is the XI Real Sociedad used to chase a comeback. Oyarzábal joined Sorloth up front, and Brais Méndez was the other novelty compared to the Rome leg.

Summary of Real Sociedad vs. Roma in the Europa League

All figures and statistics for Real Sociedad vs. Roma in the Europa League

Source: Goal