Back
Opposition lowdown: Real Sociedad
The Basque side visit the RCDE Stadium for matchday 21 of LaLiga
RCD Espanyol conclude matchday 21 of LaLiga at home to Real Sociedad on Monday.
The Mágico make it consecutive matches at the RCDE Stadium this weekend, looking to build on their home form and rise up the table. They face a side sitting third in the league but in a difficult moment of form, setting up for an intriguing clash at the Temple.
---
Name: Real Sociedad de Fútbol
Nickname: Txuri-Urdinak (The White and Blues)
Manager: Imanol Alguacil
Stadium: Reale Arena – 40,000 capacity
Last match: L 0-1 vs Real Valladolid
Current position: 3rd
---
The season so far
Real Sociedad are enjoying a stellar season, comfortably sitting third in LaLiga and topping a competitive Europa League group at the end of 2022. However, they arrive in Barcelona without a win nor a goal in their last three matches in all competitions.
Standout player
In a squad with so many top performers this season, Brais Méndez has been grabbing the headlines for La Real. In his first year with the club since arriving in the summer, the attacking midfielder has 17 goal contributions across all competitions, with seven goals in the league including in the reverse fixture against Espanyol.
Last time at the RCDE Stadium
Real Sociedad last came to the Temple in November 2021, sitting second in the table at the time. But Espanyol would not let that deter them and sealed an impressive 1-0 win, thanks to a first – and only - goal of the season by loanee Yangel Herrera.
Club links
Esteban Granero made almost an identical number of appearances for Espanyol and Real Sociedad, first for La Real when he made his loan move permanent in 2014. The Madrid-born midfielder moved on to Espanyol in 2017, playing 82 times including featuring heavily in the Club’s Europa League campaign a few years ago.