Real Sociedad faces Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey semi-final this Wednesday night, looking to leverage their 1-0 advantage. The first leg, held last month at San Mames, ended with Benat Turrientes scoring the only goal in the 62nd minute. This match marks a crucial part of the Basque derby rivalry.
Match Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao
Real Sociedad’s solid performance in the first leg places them in a favorable position to reach the Copa del Rey final. Historically, they have triumphed in the tournament three times, with their latest victory occurring during the 2019-20 season against Athletic Bilbao. In total, the two teams have met 14 times in the Copa del Rey, with Real Sociedad achieving six wins compared to Athletic’s five.
- Real Sociedad’s recent Copa del Rey form: WWWWWW
- Athletic Bilbao’s recent Copa del Rey form: WWWL
Real Sociedad secured a recent 1-0 win against Mallorca, leaving them eighth in the La Liga standings, five points shy of the top six. If they win this match, they could face either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona in the final.
Athletic Bilbao enters this fixture after a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Since their loss in the first leg, they have gathered seven points from three league matches. They remain unbeaten in La Liga since late January, occupying the ninth position with 35 points from 26 games.
Athletic Bilbao’s Copa del Rey Legacy
Athletic Bilbao stands as the second-most successful club in Copa del Rey history, with 24 titles. Their last win came in the 2023-24 season, a significant event following a long gap since their 1983-84 victory. However, Athletic has struggled against Real Sociedad in recent derbies, failing to win since February 1982, and they remain winless in their last four meetings.
Team News
Real Sociedad will miss Takefusa Kubo due to a hamstring issue, alongside Alvaro Odriozola and Inaki Ruperez. Midfielder Turrientes, the matchwinner from the first leg, is anticipated to play again, possibly supported by Carlos Soler and Mikel Oyarzabal in the attack.
Athletic Bilbao will be without Unai Eguiluz and Yeray Alvarez. Several others, including Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Nico Williams, are uncertainties for the match. Inaki Williams scored against Rayo Vallecano and is likely to feature prominently in a wide role for Athletic.
Possible Starting Lineups
| Real Sociedad | Athletic Bilbao |
|---|---|
| Remiro | Padilla |
| Aramburu | Lekue |
| Martin | Vivian |
| Caleta-Car | Laporte |
| Gomez | Boiro |
| Gorrotxategi | Jauregizar |
| Turrientes | Rego |
| Marin | I. Williams |
| Soler | Gomez |
| Guedes | Navarro |
| Oyarzabal | Guruzeta |
The prediction for this intense match leans towards Real Sociedad winning 2-1, leading to an aggregate score of 3-1. They hold a significant advantage, and expectations are high for them to secure their place in the final.
