Real Sociedad are under pressure after losing 2-0 away to AS Roma in last week’s first leg of this UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 tie. Following a failure to defeat Mallorca (1-1) in league football at the weekend, they now have to overcome their longest winless period of the season (D3, L2 in all competitions) if they are to get further than they ever have previously in the UEL knockouts.
That’s going to require them to win at home by a three-goal margin, which they have done twice in UEFA football under Imanol Alguacil, although both occasions were in the group stage and against opponents from outside Europe’s top five leagues (PSV Eindhoven and Sheriff Tiraspol). Alguacil declared his side “can do great things”, but their winless home record beyond the group stage of any UEFA competition this century (D1, L3) suggests they will have to break new ground.
This fixture will come at a perfect time for Jose Mourinho, who began a two-game Serie A suspension with a dramatic 4-3 loss at home to Sassuolo. Mourinho described this second leg as “dangerous”, not owing just to the opposition but also because of the timing: this UEL fixture precedes a weekend Derby della Capitale that could be decisive in determining whether AS Roma can return to the Champions League (UCL) next season.
A repeat of their most recent trip to Spain – a 1-1 away to Real Betis in the group stage of this tournament – will be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals. Yet the Round of 16 was where AS Roma fell in each of their last three UEL appearances prior to a semi-final run in 2020/21, so with that in mind, they’ll be hoping to repeat their more recent history, with the exception of the four goals they conceded against Sassuolo – the first time since the World Cup that AS Roma defence let through 3+ goals in any competition!
Players to watch: Real Sociedad good luck charm Alexander Sörloth has won all 11 of the competitive matches in which he has scored this season, including two in the UEL. Looking to thwart him yet again will be former Real Sociedad player Diego Llorente, who has now won each of his last four appearances for AS Roma or Leeds United.
Hot stat: All but one of Real Sociedad last 11 games in all competitions produced fewer than 2.5 total goals.
