Rain, goals and reminiscence as Real Sociedad and Atlético veterans share 3-3 in Zubieta | OneFootball

Zubieta staged a rain-lashed reunion as Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid veterans drew 3-3, a cheerful prelude to the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja on 18 April.

According to AS, the open-doors event mixed rivalry with camaraderie, despite a downpour and two halves of 35 minutes. The scoreline mirrored Real’s 3-3 league draw with Alavés hours earlier at Anoeta.

Santi Bakero and Íñigo Elosegui led the txuri-urdin side, which featured Loinaz, Arteaga, Zabala, Roteta, Díaz de Cerio, Urzelai, Oskitz, Cuyami and Alberto ‘Bixio’ Górriz. Atlético, managed by Marcelino, included Roberto Solozábal, Movilla, Fresnedoso, Cacho Heredia, Manolo Sánchez, Orozco and Pedraza.

Solozábal enjoyed the occasion and stressed that football should unite. He felt Atlético are favourites on budget and pedigree, though noted Real could benefit from less pressure with Atlético juggling other commitments.

Fresnedoso wanted entertainment first and foremost, saying finals rarely have favourites and pointing to Champions involvement as draining. He hoped the best team wins and leaned towards a 2-1 Atlético victory.

From the Basque camp, Roteta backed Matarazzo’s side to trouble anyone, predicting 1-3. Coach-for-the-day Bakero was optimistic too, tipping 2-1 for Real.

Fans from both clubs mingled, joked about priorities and posed for photos, then headed on to the pitch after full time to mark the moment. Now attention turns to the real thing in Sevilla next week.

Source: AS