Real Sociedad start at La Cartuja, scene of recent Copa del Rey titles | OneFootball

Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad start the season at La Cartuja, the stage for Copa del Rey triumphs in 2021 and on 18 April. Four months on, those memories remain vivid for the fanbase.

According to Diario Vasco, La Cartuja is far from the prettiest, its night-time access to and from Seville is poor and the stands sit a long way from the pitch, yet it has acquired a special aura. The refurbished stadium now holds 70,000, with 30,000 Real supporters massed at the city end in April.

The bond began in 2007, when Lotina’s struggling side beat Betis 1-0 there, Javi Garrido scoring direct from a free-kick. Betis were hosting in exile after Villamarín was closed for three matches.

Fourteen years later came the Copa del Rey final, delayed a year by the pandemic. Real overcame Athletic with an Oyarzabal penalty in the 63rd minute, with the stands empty due to Covid.

This year’s final brought more drama. Barrenetxea and Oyarzabal, again from the spot, scored in the match, then Soler, Sucic, Aihen and Marín converted in the shootout, Marín’s kick settling it.

Across four outings at La Cartuja, Real have three wins and one defeat, plus two trophies. That loss, a 3-1 league reverse last season under Sergio Francisco, ranked among their poorest performances.

Despite the joy of April, uncertainty marks this kick-off, even a touch of anger over the lack of reinforcements after a near-unchanged summer.

Source: Diario Vasco

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