Real Sociedad is one dark horse team over the years and have been playing in Europa League only on several occasions. However, the Basque side has been slowly and steadily making progress lately relying on their academy products. They also have renovated their home base, Anoeta Stadium, which could hold over 39,000 fans. The European games in there with lively atmosphere from the fans are surely worth waiting.
Sociedad have had some appearances in the second tier of continental competition plus a few in Champions League. No wonder that not many players have become their satisfactory European campaign in the club’s history. Some of those who were lucky enough to be apart of Sociedad’s notable squad are Luis Arconada, Miguel Fuentes, Jesus Zamora, Andoni Goikoetxea, Asier Illaramendi, William Jose, Mikel Oyarzabal, Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Merino.
The two managers who have made great contribution for Sociedad’s campaign in Europa League are John Toschack and Imanol Alguacil. Under these figures, the club managed to go further in the competition.
Top Achievements
Real Sociedad’s noteworthy results in Europa League took place in 1988/89 UEFA Cup. In that season, the Welsh boss managed to lead his team to advance to the last eight. They eased past Sporting Lisbon and FC Koln at the previous stages. Yet, at the quarter final, Andoni Goikoetxea and Co were locking horns against VFB Stuttgart with Jurgen Klinsmann in it. Their campaign eventually was halted by the German side on penalties after both sides sealed a 1-0 win in each of their home turf.
Their second best campaigns in Europa League were just recently, in 2017/18 and 2020/21, when they could progress after the group stage to the round of 32. Sadly, they failed in both seasons. In 2018, Real Sociedad was knocked out by RB Salzburg on 3-4 aggregate while three years later, Mikel Oyarzabal and Co were hapless against Manchester United and eliminated by 0-4 on aggregate.
Iconic Moments In the Competition
Since their entry in 1974/75 season, Real Sociedad’s memorable moment has been certainly the 1989 quarter final. At the third round, John Toschack’s side struggled to eliminate FC Koln. After winning 1-0 at their home turf by a single goal of Loinaz, they were involved in a tight affair on German soil. Falko Gotz gave Koln the lead but then Andoni Goikoetxea equalised through a penalty. Engels put the German side back in front again but the late goal of Miguel Fuentes levelled the scoring and they progressed to the last eight.
Their dreadful games are unfortunately more than the iconic ones. One of them was in 2021 round of 32 when Mikel Merino and Co were lacklustre against Manchester United and hammered 0-4. Nevertheless, such is nothing compared to their failure to progress to the semi final in 1989. Beaten 0-1 on the road, Sociedad had a real chance to qualify as they could revenge the loss by snatching a 1-0 win too through a single goal of Zamora. Unfortunately, the ladyluck was not on their side as Stuttgart was able to edge out them 4-2 on penalties.
