The day Ochotorena stepped in for Arconada | OneFootball

Pedro Mari Ochotorena was Real Sociedad’s hero for a day in Salamanca, the eternal understudy who sent his side through on penalties. According to Diario Vasco, he spent seven seasons behind Luis Arconada, playing only three games, all in the cup, and never debuting in Primera División.

It came in 82/83, the season after Real’s second league title. The squad were drained after España 82, Periko Alonso left for Barcelona, Satrústegui suffered a major knee injury and Zamora and Kortabarria had issues.

Arconada, who had missed only one game in six years, sprained a shoulder against the Netherlands and was hurt again before the trip. After consulting Alberto Ormaetxea he stayed in Donostia. Real led the last-16 tie 2-0 from Atocha thanks to Uralde’s brace inside 12 minutes.

In the Helmántico, Real were solid and Uralde twice hit the post. A disputed penalty on 77 minutes dragged Salamanca back, and five minutes later Brizzola made it 2-0 on the night from a corner. Extra time brought a Gorriz header against the frame but no change.

The shootout belonged to Ochotorena, who saved the decisive kick and was mobbed by team-mates, a scene likened to Marrero against Osasuna two months earlier. A report titled 'El señor Ochotorena' hailed his composure.

Arconada returned next time and Ochotorena went back to the bench. He left for Logroñes of Segunda División in 1984, and that night kept Real alive in a run that ended in the semi-finals against a Barcelona led by Diego Maradona.

Source: Diario Vasco