Real Sociedad opened the Champions League group stage with a performance that deserved more than a single point. From the first whistle, the Basque side pressed high and dictated the tempo, pressing Inter Milan relentlessly and keeping the visitors on the back foot throughout large stretches of the match. The early pattern suggested a night where the home team could dictate the terms, especially after a swift foray into the box by a young attacker that forced a near-miss off the woodwork.
The most tangible moment came when a moment of hesitation from a defender allowed Brais Méndez to pounce. He seized the opportunity, controlled the loose ball, and finished clinically past the goalkeeper to register a crucial early strike. It was a finely taken goal that reflected Real Sociedad’s readiness to pounce on mistakes, and it sparked a renewed energy inside the stadium as supporters rose to applaud the bold move that put the home side ahead.
That early breakthrough settled the Basque side, who then leaned into their defensive shape and absorbed intermittent pressure from Inter. The visitors, coached by Simone Inzaghi, found themselves pushed back at times as Real Sociedad looked to lock down the central zones and deny space for quick counterattacks. Inter’s frustration grew as the chances dried up, and the home side’s discipline in tracking runners and closing passing lanes became a noticeable feature of the opening half.
✨San Sebastián and Real Sociedad want to dream big.
Brais Méndez scored the first goal against Inter. #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) September 20, 2023
As the first half wore on, Inter found a response and began to shift the momentum. A late surge from the visitors culminated in a moment of exposure at the back, and a calm finish from Lautaro Martínez levelled the score. It was a reminder that in this competition, a single lapse can alter the trajectory of the game, even when one side has dominated most of the play. The goal did not derail Real Sociedad; instead, it reinforced their resolve to press forward and reclaim control after the break.
The second period followed a similar rhythm. Real Sociedad maintained the intensity that had marked the opening 45 minutes, pushing forward on the break and looking to punish any second ball that surfaced in dangerous areas. Le Normand threatened again from set pieces, while Méndez continued to be a constant outlet in the final third. The crowd remained vocal, appreciating the courage and quality on display as the match stayed evenly poised.
The tempo of the game shifted at times as the coaching benches reacted. Inzaghi made a triple substitution in an attempt to reshape the approach and counter Real Sociedad’s pressing. A moment of controversy arrived when a late challenge sparked a brief stoppage, quickly resolved by the video assistant referee, which helped restore order and maintain the match’s rhythm.
In the closing stages, Merino showed his quality with another headed attempt that skimmed the crossbar, signaling that the Basques were not prepared to sit back. Le Normand also had opportunities to extend the lead but could not convert with the clock ticking down. The match, rich with chances at both ends, underscored the high level of competition and the fine margins that separate victory from a draw in Europe’s top tournament.
In the final minutes, Inter pressed with urgency, throwing bodies forward in a bid to snatch the winner, while Real Sociedad defended with collective discipline and composure. The late drama did not fully unfold into a second goal for either side, and the final whistle confirmed a draw that felt like a fair reflection of a highly contested encounter. The result left both teams with things to build on as the campaign moves forward, setting the stage for a promising chapter in their European journeys.