Five years on, Real Sociedad’s old guard eye another golden chapter | OneFootball

Five years after their last Copa final, Real Sociedad return to La Cartuja with six champions, Oyarzabal, Remiro, Aihen, Zubeldia, Aritz and Barrenetxea, intent on finally celebrating with their own supporters.

In April 2021 they ended a 34-year wait, Oyarzabal’s penalty past Unai Simón settling it as Athletic chased an equaliser and Aihen drove them from the touchline. According to Diario Vasco, Illarramendi lifted the Cup in Seville and those survivors now seek a sequel.

The stage has changed. There is no pandemic, La Cartuja has been expanded to 70,000 and its track removed, as at Anoeta, bringing fans closer. The trip, NH Collection base, dressing-room prep and pitch dimensions remain, but packed stands will unleash a txuri-urdin tide recalling Gijón, Zaragoza, Madrid and Vigo.

The squad is younger. David Silva, Monreal, Moyá and Zaldua have retired, while Le Normand, Merino, Zubimendi and Isak now play elsewhere. Others have departed or are on loan, including Guevara, Januzaj, Illarramendi, Guridi, Sagnan, Gorosabel, Navarro, Pacheco and Carlos Fernández.

As in 1987 and 1988, no two finals are alike. Now Aramburu, Martín, Sergio Gómez, Gorrotxategi, Turrientes, Soler, Guedes, Kubo, Sucic and Óskarsson carry the charge. Imanol and Olabe are not there, yet the essence endures, development, an attractive style and more than 100 years of ambition since 1909, backed by a unique support that cried in Puertollano, Gijón and Zaragoza, and when titles slipped in Vigo in 2003 and Seville in 1980. They hope for glory by La Giralda after 46 years.

Source: Diario Vasco