This real society browsed the stalls as champions clashed. After the land monster was defeated in Anoeta, Villarreal faced a test. The home team showed early roughness and, only late in the first half, hints of greater ambition emerged as they pressed for a possible draw that might have come sooner if not for a suspension threat. Yet the second goal the hosts needed did not arrive, and in the end Remiro stepped forward with a spectacular save to seal a victory that set Donostiarras in motion.
Imanol Alguacil barely returned to action compared with Thursday’s Sheriff game and made two changes, with Aihen and Zubimendi coming in for Rico and Sorloth. Conversely, Unai Emery rolled out nine new starters in the XI for the match against Austria in Vienna, including Coquelin and Danjuma.
The draw persisted in the opening minutes of the match! #RealSociedadVillarreal! #LaLigaSantander #LaLigaFeatured pic.twitter.com/secGuKn8OT
– LaLiga (@LaLiga) 9 October 2022
The battle for possession tilted toward Real Sociedad, with two rows of four defending near the edge of their own area while Lo Celso and Danjuma waited to counter from the front, attempting to elongate the clock against a Villarreal side that dominated possession and played on the opponent’s turf. Improvement was on the horizon for the visitors, but it did not come easily.
Emery faced a problem: Real Sociedad pressed with intensity after their recent defeat, and the few times Villarreal managed to break out, the txuri urdin defense neutralized the danger with calm discipline.
Thus the first half unfolded with San Sebastian buffering the storm as best they could. Sola and Brais were the first to test the goalkeeper with two attempts that lacked real danger from distance.
Rulli’s miscue when the ball slipped away invited Brais to pounce, and the midfielder could not beat the Argentine between the posts on the rebound. Emery watched helplessly from the bench, and the moment grew tense when Albiol nearly exploited a gap created by Zubimendi, whose shot sailed high.
Persistence paid off. After a remarkable through ball from Merino, Brais connected with a shot from behind the defense, slipping the ball through Rulli’s legs to send the Gipuzkoan side in front. It was the Galician’s fifth goal in the league, matching six goals across his last four appearances this season.
At halftime, Emery responded by bringing on Danjuma and Yéremi Pino for Morales and Danjuma respectively, signaling a more aggressive posture. Villarreal pressed, but Real Sociedad remained in control of the match they felt comfortable in.
Commander Morales looked for an equalizer as Getafe’s difficult angle produced a powerful strike near the post, a move that marked Villarreal’s first real attempt on goal after 53 minutes.
Real Sociedad’s reply was immediate. Silva found a lane that unsettled Sorloth, and the Norwegian countered Rulli, who initially blocked the first attempt with a gloved hand before rushing to cover the follow-up from the txuri urdin forward.
In the closing minutes, Villarreal took the initiative and Real Sociedad grew tired, their energy spent from a schedule that did not allow them the luxury of rotating as freely as their rivals. Le Normand reasserted his defensive dominance in the decisive phases, while Cho’s speed kept Villarreal wary.
The visitors’ dominance persisted as Emery’s men sought to exploit any lapse, but Chukwueze’s surge found Morales in a dangerous position in the 92nd minute. Morales returned the ball to Remiro, whose spectacular save preserved the lead and denied a late equalizer.
The final whistle sent the Reale Arena into a burst of celebration. The home fans rejoiced as their team claimed a crucial victory on their soil.
Data sheet:
1 – Real Sociedad: Remiro; Sola, Aritz (Le Normand, sub. 80), Pacheco, Aihen; Zubimendi, Merino, Brais (Turrientes, sub. 80), Silva (Carlos Fernández, sub. 73); Kubo (Navarro, sub. 87) and Sorloth (Cho, sub. 73).
0 – Villarreal: Rulli; Kiko Femenía (Mandi, sub. 80), Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza; Capoue, Parejo, Coquelin (Baena, sub. 63); Lo Celso (Chukwueze, sub. 80), Danjuma (Morales, sub. 46) and Yéremi Pino (Jackson, sub. 46).
Aim: 1-0, minute 32: Brais.
Judge: Soto Grado (C. Riojano). For locals, yellow cards: Silva (minute 54), Brais (minute 68), Aritz (minute 75), Sola (minute 82) and Carlos Fernández (minute 91); for visitors, Lo Celso (minute 44), Albiol (minute 64), Pau Torres (minute 78) and coach Unai Emery (minute 24).
Events: The match, played on LaLiga Santander’s eighth day at the Reale Arena, drew 32,689 spectators. A minute of silence was observed in memory of royalist member Txomin Landa and the recently deceased footballer Unai Arruabarrena.