Heavy punishment for Real Sociedad. The people of San Sebastián leave Rome with a heavy two-nil defeat, making the tie uphill from the start for the Basques.
ALL ABOUT ROME USA. ROYAL SOCIETY OF THE EUROPE LEAGUE 2022-2023
The result was matched by a performance that left little room for doubt. In an away leg that demanded a bold approach, Real Sociedad looked to press high, while Roma under Jose Mourinho preferred patience and quick transitions. The decisive moment arrived when a corner misfortune opened a swift counter. Dybala swung a clever pass to Abraham, who showed a neat touch to feed El Shaarawy, finishing crisply to topple the visitors and send a warning through the San Sebastián ranks.
From there, the pattern didn’t change. Real Sociedad continued to probe without meaningful reward, with a promising moment arriving in the 21st minute when a shot struck the post, leaving Roma largely untroubled as they retained control of the tempo.
After halftime, the script stayed consistent with Mourinho’s plan. Roma did not waver; Merino nearly leveled for La Real, but the Italian side held firm, sticking to the game plan and extending their lead through a second goal finished by Kumbulla. The feeling in the camp resembled a team that had done what it needed and would wait for a second leg, wary of chasing a risky comeback.
Real Sociedad faced a steep challenge, needing two goals against a Roma side structured to frustrate and seal the tie. They pushed, but the crucial moments were scarce, and Roma’s defense remained compact, giving the Real players little room to operate. By the final whistle, Roma had secured a 2-0 win, leaving Real Sociedad with a significant hurdle to climb in the return match in Anoeta.
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Minute by minute Rome vs. Royal Society of the Europa League
Press conferences and statements from Roma vs. Royal Society of the Europa League
Mourinho in Movistar+: “If I liked Joaquín more when we faced Betis, today I appreciated Matic and David Silva, their experience showing. A 2-0 is a tough result, and I must guard against my team overestimating the derby.” He added that after the second leg in San Sebastián, confidence must be measured and caution maintained.
Videos, lineups and news from Roma vs. Royal Society of the Europa League
Full-time. Roma triumphs 2-0. Real Sociedad will have to mount a comeback in Anoeta.
Minute 90+3. A second yellow keeps the booking pace steady for Matic and Oyarzabal.
Minute 88. Dybala departs and is replaced by Bove.
This is how Roma’s second goal arrived.
Minute 87. Roma adds another with a corner and a Kumbulla header, 2-0 to the Italians. Real Sociedad’s night ends tougher than expected.
Minute 84. Real pick up a fourth booking as Zubimendi is cautioned.
Two Real Sociedad changes follow: Gorosabel and Silva depart as Sola and Turrientes come on.
Minute 82. Merino fires wide after a moment of hesitation in front of Remiro’s goal.
Minute 81. Momo Cho presses, winning a corner for La Real.
Minute 80. Gorosabel receives a yellow card.
Minute 77. Real Sociedad attack with urgency, but Roma defend with discipline. The visitors are more tunneled into defense, while Roma remains dangerous on the break.
Minute 74. Real Sociedad make two more changes: Brais Méndez and Momo Cho depart; Kubo and Illarramendi come on.
Minute 70. A card shown to Zubeldia signals the increasing tension in midfield.
The first Real Sociedad substitution sees Oyarzabal leave and Sorloth enter the fray.
Minute 68. Illarramendi picks up a yellow card in a tense exchange.
Minute 67. Belotti tests Remiro with a sharp strike; the Real defense carries a heavy workload and Roma continues to press.
Minute 61. Belotti replaces Abraham in a tactical switch.
Minute 60. Pellegrini exits; El Shaarawy follows, with Wijnaldum and Spinazzola also withdrawn. Roma reorganizes for the second leg.
Minute 58. A collision between Pellegrini and Zubeldia leaves the Italian forward moments of discomfort.
Minute 57. Diego Rico’s effort earns a corner as Rui Patricio watches closely.
A Roma substitution changes the shape again as Llorente makes way for Kumbulla.
The second half begins in Rome with Roma holding a one-goal cushion from the first leg’s late opportunities.
End of the first half. The Italians lead 1-0 and hold the advantage as Real Sociedad searches for a way back into the tie.
Minute 37. Real Sociedad craft an opening that Gorosabel converts into a corner with a dangerous strike.
Minute 30. Dybala tests the goalkeeper with a powerful attempt as Roma look to capitalize on quick transitions.
Minute 21. Kubo strikes the post again, reminding Real Sociedad they are still very much in the tie.
Roma’s first spark came from Mourinho’s men’s early pressure; the decisive moment follows a brilliant sequence capped by El Shaarawy’s finish from Abraham’s assist.
Minute 13. Dybala initiates the scoring with a run and a cross finished by El Shaarawy as Abraham becomes the architect of the move.
Minute 10. Real Sociedad settles into the game, pacing their passing in the middle of the park before the duel in Rome opens.
The match kicks off at the Olimpico in Rome, with the lineup selected by Mourinho providing the shape for the battle ahead.
With these eleven, Real Sociedad travels to the Olimpico looking to flip the measure of the tie.