Real Sociedad braced for eight games in 30 days to start the season | OneFootball

LaLiga opens on Saturday with Alavés v Getafe, but Real Sociedad start a week later, away to Betis at La Cartuja on Friday 21. Pre-season ends this Saturday against Xabi Alonso's Chelsea, and, according to Diario Vasco, La Real face eight matches in 30 days across four competitions before the first international break.

Seven are in LaLiga and one in the Europa League, so the domestic start is pivotal after the dip that followed the Copa win in Seville. Real have not won a league game since 4 April against Levante, 2-0.

They will play matchday 2 before 1 and 6 before 4 or 5, starting with two away fixtures then two at the remodelled Anoeta. Mikel Oyarzabal has no pre-season, Take Kubo only two friendlies, Gonçalo Guedes is a doubt after surgery, and Jon Gorrotxategi is short of full fitness.

Betis away has hurt in the last two league trips, 3-1 and 3-0 defeats under Sergio Francisco and Imanol. Four of the first five kick-offs are late, three at 21.00 and one at 21.30, the other is at 19.00. Next comes the Bernabéu and José Mourinho's return to Madrid.

The home bow follows on Saturday 29 against Espanyol at 19.00, with fewer than 72 hours between Madrid and San Sebastián, a pattern set to repeat once Europa League Thursdays begin. Anoeta should be up to 42,247 seats by then. The Celta match from matchday 6 is brought forward to Thursday 3, then Elche away on Monday 7 at 21.30.

Atlético visit on the weekend of 12 or 13, the European opener is on 16 or 17, then Valencia away on 19 or 20, before a pause until 10 or 11 October. Early results may prove decisive after last season's six-game winless start, a 1-0 over Mallorca, then three straight defeats and Sergio Francisco's exit after Girona. Matarazzo must manage the opening stretch carefully.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”