Álex Marchal at the centre of a rare Real Sociedad anomaly in Elche | OneFootball

Álex Marchal was withdrawn after coming on as Real Sociedad edged Elche 3-2 at the Martínez Valero on the club’s 117th birthday.

According to Diario Vasco, replacing a substitute has occurred only 26 times in the club’s history. Matarazzo introduced Jon Martín and Marchal for Sarr and Guedes on 57 minutes, seeking control and defensive security at 0-2.

Three minutes later Martín was sent off in a controversial incident after inadvertently handling during a move that ended with a Sucic goal, later ruled out, which would have made it 0-3. The sequence began with Marchal’s misplaced back-pass toward Zubeldia.

Reduced to 10, Real unravelled and Elche levelled between 67 and 73. Marchal had been asked to play right wing-back in a five with Aramburu, Zubeldia and Yangel Herrera as centre-backs, a shape that only settled after 1-2 despite efforts from staff and Oyarzabal.

With the game at 2-2 and Elche rampant, Matarazzo replaced Marchal after 23 minutes to debut Héctor Fort, a natural fit for the flank. Sucic struck on 89 minutes for 2-3, easing Marchal’s frustration.

It was Real’s first tactical removal of a substitute in five and a half years, last seen on 13 January 2021 in the Supercopa semi against Barcelona. Then, Imanol took off Joseba Zaldua for Bautista before penalties, the striker missed the first kick and Oyarzabal and Willian José also failed, nullifying the successful efforts of Merino and Januzaj.

Since then, eight substitutes have been replaced due to injury, three involving the often fragile Arsen Zakharyan. In a goalless draw at Cádiz, Traoré went off injured and his replacement Aritz also had to depart, while Óskarsson lasted barely a minute against Osasuna in last season’s Cup.

Source: Diario Vasco

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