The semi-final Real Sociedad won with nine men | OneFootball

Real Sociedad’s run to a second Copa del Rey pivoted on a semi-final first leg in Atocha, where injuries reduced them to nine effective men. They held Athletic to 0-0, then José Mari Bakero settled the tie from a corner a week later at San Mamés.

According to Diario Vasco, this came in John Toshack’s second season, a year of solid defending but modest returns, with up to 10 1-0 away defeats and a 10th-place finish in an 18-team league.

In the cup they edged past lower-tier Basconia, Montijo and Villarreal with narrow 1-0 wins, then eased past Eibar and Mallorca B by 4-0 and 10-1 on aggregate. The semi-final draw handed Athletic the second leg in Bilbao.

The first leg on 3 June 1987 in Donostia was cautious. Athletic neutralised Zamora and Txiki Begiristain, and Real rarely tested Vicente Biurrun. The punishing schedule, 44 league matches after a one-off playoff, told in the second half.

Toshack introduced López Ufarte for Musti Mujika at half-time. Six minutes later Zubillaga injured a shoulder and Loren replaced him, exhausting the two permitted changes. With more than half an hour left Loren broke down and Shanti Bakero pulled up, Loren departed and Bakero stayed up front as a passenger.

José Ángel Iribar’s Athletic grew cautious, and Real ran the clock. Post-match, Arconada and López Ufarte struck a pessimistic note about injuries and the lack of a lead, while Toshack felt 0-0 suited them and suggested Athletic’s late caution could prove decisive.

So it proved in Bilbao, where Bakero’s goal from a corner sent Real through. The back line of Arconada, Sagarzazu, Gorriz, Gajate and Rekarte excelled, while Zamora, Begiristain and López Ufarte led incisive counters as the finalists created the clearer chances.

Source: Diario Vasco