Real Sociedad keep calm after first-leg lead, with Lleida the only comeback | OneFootball

Real Sociedad hold a first-leg lead in their Copa del Rey semi-final against Athletic at San Mamés, yet the tie remains far from settled.

According to Diario Vasco, Matarazzo and his players were cautious, stressing there is another match to play and that much can change in three weeks. They showed no euphoria, focusing on finishing the job at Anoeta on the fourth of March, aware the chance of a first final with supporters in 38 years demands calm management.

Recent history feeds that caution. Last season they lost 0-1 to Real Madrid at Anoeta, then led 1-3 at the Bernabéu with 10 minutes left before extra time, when a Rüdiger goal ended the dream. Two years earlier they drew 0-0 in Mallorca and could not complete the task in the return despite strong backing.

Only once have La Real been overturned at home after winning the first leg away. Eight years ago in the Copa del Rey they beat Lleida of Segunda B 0-1 through Canales, then lost 2-3 at Anoeta after leading by two at the break, a collapse born of relaxation and overconfidence that months later would cost Eusebio.

They have taken an away first-leg advantage on 30 occasions, 26 in the cup and four in Europe. In the cup, four were against top-flight rivals, seven against Segunda, the rest lower-tier or reserve sides in the seventies and eighties when early rounds were two-legged, so the parallels are limited.

Closer echoes came against Atlético Madrid in 68/69 and Zaragoza in 70/71, when La Real won 2-1 and 0-1 away respectively. The Atleti quarter-final was closed out with a 1-1 draw at Atocha, Arzak and Luis Aragonés scoring, then Elche won a semi-final decider in a third game that denied a final with Athletic. Against Zaragoza, a 0-0 return sufficed thanks to Boronat’s strike at La Romareda.

Source: Diario Vasco