Real Madrid will be playing hosts to Real Sociedad at the Alfredo de Stefano Stadium on Matchday 25 of La Liga Santander. When the two teams last met in the Primera Division, a goalless stalemate took place at the Anoeta Stadium. Real Madrid will be facing the heat when they take to the field on Monday evening as Barcelona have already snatched three points from their trip to Seville. Here is The 4th Official’s tactical preview on Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad –
Team News
Real Madrid
The Whites have been braced with the return of Marcelo, Alvaro Odriozola, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde for this fixture. It will be interesting to see if Zidane gets these players straight into the mix of things or deploys them later during the match off the bench. The absentee list still remains lengthy for Real Madrid with Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao yet to recover.
Predicted XI – Courtois, Vasquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Asensio, Mariano, Vinicius
Real Madrid Vs Real Sociedad Tactical Preview
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad are a much better camp when it comes to injuries at the moment with only one injury to Luca Sangalli. The visitors will have to be careful though with David Silva and Aritz Elustondo having already amassed four yellow cards each and are in danger of missing La Real’s clash against Levante at home.
Predicted XI – Remiro, Monreal, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Gorosabel, Guevara, Illarramendi, Silva, Oyarzabal, Portu, Isak
Talking Tactics
Real Madrid
The Whites will be without their star striker, Karim Benzema and it is going to make things extremely difficult for Zidane & Co. Real Madrid are expected to have the lion’s share of possession and it will be important for them to utilise it in the right areas of the pitch. The Whites are expected to make full use of the size of the pitch and play their football on the wings. This will stretch the Real Sociedad team and it will be interesting to see if they are able to sustain Real Madrid’s attacks for the entire ninety minutes of the match.
Real Madrid Vs Real Sociedad Tactical Preview
Real Sociedad
La Real’s European ambitions for the season were bought to an abrupt end in midweek when Manchester United emerged victorious over the two legs of the tie. With no pressure on them and reduced games to play as well, Real Sociedad will likely have a care-free approach for the rest of the season. However, they must certainly gun for a European spot and this Real Madrid clash is vital for picking up some points. Real Sociedad will look to hit Real Madrid on the counter, a tactic that has been often used against the Whites this season.
Key Men
Real Madrid
The key man for Real Madrid would be Toni Kroos. The player has stepped up to the occasion several times against this opposition and Zidane would be hopeful for a similar performance. The German is Real Madrid’s top assist provider this season and in recent games, Toni Kroos has amassed machine-like passing accuracy. It will be vital for Real Sociedad to keep Kroos’ movement on the field of play restricted and clamped down.
Real Sociedad
Alexander Isak has been one of the standout performers for Real Sociedad this season. The player has scored twelve goals and also has two assists to his name. Real Madrid will have to be wary of this Swedish striker with Isak being in red-hot form. Last weekend, Isak bagged a hattrick against Deportivo Alaves and will be looking to add to his collection for the season at the Valdebebas Training Facility.
