Match Pack: Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD8)

This weekend, Los Leones travel across the Basque Country to Donostia where they will take on Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.

In our previous derby outings, the Zurigorri registered a 0-2 win over CA Osasuna at El Sadar and 0-2 victory against Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza. Ernesto Valverde's charges will be looking to make it three out of three on Saturday night.

Only two places separates the two sides in the league, with la Real sixth on 12 points and Athletic fourth with 14.

Match Info
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club

Reale Arena, Donostia

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 8)

Saturday September 30, 21:00 CEST

How to Watch
Make sure you don't miss the Basque Derby, no matter where in the world you are.

Team News
Valverde has named a 21-man squad for the derby.

Peru Nolaskoain and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta are sidelined along with fellow midfielder Unai Gómez. However, Nico Williams returns to the fold after recovering from injury.

Valverde's Comments
The gaffer described the Basque Derby as the best in LaLiga.

🎙️ Ernesto Valverde speaking about #RealSociedadAthletic

"For me, this is the best derby in @LaLigaEN."#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/PXlvtQHchH

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) September 29, 2023

The Opponents

Head coach: Imanol Alguacil

The former Real Sociedad full-back in now in his sixth season in charge of the Txuri-urdin. In that time, the Donostia-based outfit have consistently finished in the top 10 and last season they came fourth to qualify for Champions League football.

One to watch: Kieran Tierney

The Scotland international signed for Real Sociedad on loan from Arsenal this summer. The marauding left-back was with the Gunners for four years, making 124 appearances for the Premier League outfit and lifting the 2019/20 FA Cup.

He initially came up through the ranks at his boyhood club Celtic FC, where he won four Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish Cups. Tierney was part of the Bhoys invincibles squad of 2016/17 and the treble-winning side of 2017/18.

Predominantly a full-back, but also capable up playing further up the flank and at centre-back, Kieran has 39 Scotland caps under his belt.

Recent form: DWLWW

La Real got their campaign underway with three straight draws, but have slowly found their feet. Just like Athletic, the hosts' only defeat so far this season is a loss to Real Madrid.

Previous Meetings
One of the competitions most iconic fixtures, this Saturday will be the 153rd time we have faced Real Sociedad in LaLiga. The very first top-flight clash was a 1-1 draw at Atotxa in the inaugural 1929 season. From our 152 previous encounters, Athletic have registered 61 victories, 39 draws and 52 losses.

Our trips down the road to Donostia tend to be hard-fought, as reflected in the figures: 20 wins, 19 draws and 37 defeats.

The last five LaLiga visits to the Reale Arena have seen Athletic come away with two draws and three losses.