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In a high stakes Europa League clash, the visitors took control early and pressed Rome relentlessly, eventually securing a 2-0 victory that left fans buzzing after a tough, evenly contested opening leg.
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The first half moved at a brisk pace as Jose Mourinho’s squad showcased discipline, keeping the scoreline favorable while neutralizing early Rome attempts. Tactical discipline limited dangerous balls in behind the defense, and at one point the Norwegian forward Sorloth struggled to sustain a consistent challenge. Early on, Spinazzola sparked anxiety among the home crowd and a warning from the referee altered the tempo, as a burst of yellow cards in the opening minutes changed the flow of the game.
Very effective in complicated conditions, Mourinho managed his side through the storm. Real Sociedad found it hard to impose their style as Silva and Merino were crowded out in midfield, leaving Rui Patricio with few testing moments. A moment of spark from Brais Méndez and Merino briefly shifted the tone, but the visitors remained well organized behind the ball and waited for a counter to land a decisive blow.
As extra time hovered, Smalling fired a header from a corner just before the final whistle, but a VAR review ruled a handball by the midfielder and the goal was disallowed, keeping the scoreline unchanged and giving the hosts renewed life. The moment shifted momentum back toward Real Sociedad as they searched for a late breakthrough.
In the second period, Sorloth found himself with a clear opportunity after a deft layoff from Brais and found space for a shot on target, though Rui Patricio was perfectly positioned to deny the Norwegian once again. The game remained a tense chess match, with Real Sociedad pressing high and Rome absorbing pressure behind a compact defensive line. The visitors continued to threaten on the break, while Mourinho’s side trusted their structure and guarded the leads with stubborn resilience.
The match concluded with Real Sociedad pushing for a late goal that never arrived, leaving them with a narrow deficit to overcome in the return leg. The result underscored Mourinho’s ability to steward a compact defense and capitalize on their chances when they mattered most, even if the overall rhythm of the game suggested both teams carried attacking intent at different moments.
Real Sociedad will need a strong performance on the road to overturn the result and secure a place in the next round. The tactical battle highlighted the importance of patience in European nights, where the margin between success and disappointment often comes down to a single moment of precision. This clash also underline the value of depth, as fresh legs from both benches kept the tempo high and maintained intensity through the full 90 minutes. The contest showcased the strategic balance between attack and defense that defines these knockout ties, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the rematch and a potential path to the Champions League next season.
Data sheet: In Real Sociedad’s lineup, Remiro started in goal with Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, and Rico in defense. Zubimendi, Merino, Silva, and Brais Méndez operated through midfield, while Oyarzabal and Sorloth supported the attack with substitutions from Kubo and Carlos Fernandez later in the match. In Rome’s ranks, Patricio stood tall in goal with Karsdorp, Zalewski, Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, and Spinazzola in defense. Wijnaldum, Cristante, Pellegrini, Dybala, and Belotti formed the core of the midfield and attack, with Belotti and Abraham entering as late substitutions. The referee was Istvan Kovacs from Romania. Attendance reached 35,054 at the Reale Arena, with a strong Roma fan presence among the crowd. This report draws from on-field observations and official match records attributed to competitive organizers and league records.