Overview
Real Madrid are currently ranked 2nd in La Liga with 8 points after 4 rounds. However, this position does not reflect the current form of Real Madrid. Compared to last season, Los Blancos have declined a bit.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has left Real Madrid's attack line too crowded. Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo all tend to play direct, preferring to score goals rather than assist their teammates.
The proof is that in the first rounds, the number of times Real's attacking stars coordinated with each other was very low. That made the playing style that coach Carlo Ancelotti built, which focuses on the understanding between players, become chaotic. Even though they only had to face weak opponents, Real Madrid played deadlocked and had difficulty.
The next opponent of the "White Vultures" will be Real Sociedad, a team that has not been in good form recently. Although playing at home at Anoeta, this will not necessarily be an advantage for Sociedad. Because in the 2 times they played at home this season, they both had to accept defeat. On the contrary, every time they played away, Sociedad always got positive results.
Therefore, hosting the reigning La Liga champions at home is still a difficult challenge for Sociedad. Moreover, Los Blancos can welcome the return of Jude Bellingham. The English player will help Real Madrid's midfield to be more creative and unpredictable, in the context that they have not found anyone to replace Toni Kroos.
Real Sociedad have faced Real Madrid 58 times in the past. Real Sociedad have won 13 and drawn 12. Real Madrid have won 33.
In the last 10 meetings between the two teams, Real Sociedad won 2 matches, lost 5 and drew 3.
In the last 6 away matches against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid won 3. However, only once of those matches was there a margin of more than 1 goal.
Human resources situation
Real Sociedad will be without Mikel Oyarzabal, Brais Mendez and Hamari Traore due to injury. Aritz Elustondo is doubtful of recovering. Meanwhile, Mikel Merino has moved to Arsenal.
On the other side of the front line, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eder Militao are not in their best shape. Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga will definitely be absent.
Expected lineup:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Lopez, Pacheco, Zubeldia, Aramburu, Gomez, Zubimendi, Turrientes, Becker, Oskarsson, Kubo.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Garcia, Rudiger, Carvajal, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Valverde, Modric, Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo.
The match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid takes place at 2:00 a.m. on September 15 (Vietnam time).
