I've reconsidered: Sociedad is a real contender I thought Madrid would have passed them by now, but they continue to win against good opponents. Sociedad will be in the race up through the last week. It will be exciting down the stretch.
Real Sociedad has been very impressive so far. Not only have they maintained their lead all through the first round but they also went undefeated. Of course now on the second time around all the teams will be keying in on them. But you have to admire how well they are playing as a team. They are an interesting team to watch. Can Real handle the pressure? We'll find out soon enough.
Nobody expected Real Sociedad to play as well as they have this year, and it only gets more impressive every week. Especially after flirting with relegation over the past couple of years, their rebound this year is particularly impressive. And it sounds as though they are doing it by playing beautiful soccer, not the typical defensive Basque style. I haven't seen them play yet this year, but that's what I have read. Going undefeated the entire first half of the season, very impressive!
Aupa Real! I was in Spain when the won the league two years in row back in the early 80's. I even remember watching the game they had to win at Atoxa to clinch. I was on the roof top of my apartment waving my flag after that one. Awesome. At least I have something to celebrate... unless Van Gaal is finally let go, there's not going to be much left to celebrate. Paul
http://www.marca.com/futbol/primera_vuelta03/texto_principal.html La metamorfosis producida en el conjunto vasco es espectacular, pues ha pasado de flirtear con el descenso en las últimas temporadas a convertirse en el principal candidato para proclamarse campeón de Liga. Baste un dato para darse cuenta de este cambio experimentado. La pasada campaña, a estas alturas de campeonato, la Real sumaba 19 puntos, es decir, veinticuatro menos que la presente. La novena ocasión en la que un equipo de la máxima categoría acaba sin tropiezo alguno la primera vuelta tiene su base en las paradas de Westerveld, la seguridad de Schurrer, la zurda de De Pedro, la calidad de Xabi Alonso, la garra de Karpin, la picardía de Nihat, el remate de Kovacevic... pero, sobre todo, en el trabajo de un técnico francés llamado Raynald Denoueix, del que pocas referencias guardaba el fútbol español hasta que ‘aterrizó’ en San Sebastián, salvo una liga ganada en Francia con el Nantes. This is portion of an article from Marca saying how at the same stage last year, Real Sociedad had 19 points, which is 24 less than they currently have! That is an amazing turnaround. The article also mentions the turnaround is due to the fine stops from Westerveld, the security of Schurrer, De Pedro's left foot, the quality of Xabi Alonso, the fighting qualities of Karpin, the cunning of Nihat and the shots of Kovacevic. But the most important addition has been that of the coach Raynald Denoueix who has done a great job of organizing Real Sociedad.
Don Ostia: the Real Sociedad thread I moved this to Basque Teams to try and encourage traffic on our newest subforum. Try and spot the play on words in the thread title. Post away.
BBC article: Sociedad, the Real deal With a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Real Sociedad earned the honorary title having got to midway point of the current campaign as the only unbeaten top-flight team in the whole of Europe this season.
Mario eres un chaquetero, how can you support Real over your Barcapasta? Saludos y viva er eurobeti manque Lopera! Pichi
Jejeje.. porque ahora es imposible por la azulgrana que ganar la liga y etonces la mentalidad en Catalunya es que apoyar cualquier equipo que puede ganar antes de El Madrid.
And the men from San Sebastian lose their unbeaten streak this weekend after a defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby. They're still in the driver's seat as far as the league's concerned, though, and it'll be tough for Real Madrid to make up ground on them.
Xabi Alonso podrá reaparecer ante Osasuna Los realistas Javi De Pedro y Xabi Alonso se reincorporaron hoy al trabajo de grupo con normalidad, por lo que ambos están en condiciones de reaparecer con el equipo el domingo ante Osasuna, aunque en el caso del antiguotarra ésto no será posible porque el club donostiarra ha decido no recurrir su sanción. La presencia en Anoeta de Xabi Alonso, que se perdió el últino compromiso frente al Betis por el esguince de tobillo que se produjo jugando ante el Espanyol, resulta determinante para su equipo, como ha quedado demostrado. Su ausencia, unida a la de De Pedro ha restado consistencia al centro del campo txuri urdin. A la recuperación física de estos dos hombres importantes en los planes de Denoueix hay que contraponer la ausencia en el entrenamiento de Tayfun y de Llorente, que tampoco se pudieron ejercitar ayer, y de Gabi Schürrer. El central argentino sufre unas molestias en el tendón del bíceps femoral del muslo izquierdo y no se entrenó con el fin de no sobrecargar la zona afectada, aunque lo hará por la tarde.