Real Sociedad Challenges Real Madrid in Copa del Rey Semifinals

San Sebastián, Spain — The highly anticipated first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals kicks off tonight at the Reale Arena, where Real Sociedad hosts Real Madrid at 3:30 PM ET. Both teams aim to gain a crucial advantage for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Sociedad enters this matchup with confidence, having transformed the Reale Arena into a fortress, with 11 victories out of their last 13 home games. Coach Imanol Alguacil will navigate the match with minimal absences, missing only Odriozola, Zakharyan, and Pacheco, who are sidelined due to injury. Notably, both Aguerd and Sucic, who had been doubtful, are fit to play.

“It’s a semifinal, and every detail counts,” Alguacil said. “We intend to leverage our home advantage and perform at our best.” With formidable players like Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack, Sociedad aims to strike early against the reigning Copa champions.

On the opposite side, Real Madrid arrives laden with expectations but dealing with notable absences, including superstar Kylian Mbappé, who is out with dental pain. Manager Carlo Ancelotti plans to rotate his squad amid a grueling schedule, emphasizing LaLiga and Champions League commitments. Star players like Rüdiger and Bellingham are likely to return after resting last game.

“Always difficult to play against Real Sociedad, especially at their ground,” Ancelotti noted. “This has significant implications for both teams, and we know we must be at our best.” Madrid has a storied history of success in Copa del Rey, but they have faced challenges at the Reale Arena in past encounters.

Historically, in 178 meetings between the two clubs, Madrid leads with 99 wins compared to Sociedad’s 37, but recent matches underscore the competitiveness of this rivalry. Notable is the thrilling 4-3 upset in 2020, which serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cup matches.

The stakes tonight are especially high, as the teams look to take control of the two-leg semifinal series. A live audience of over 38,000 is expected to fill the Reale Arena, promising an electric atmosphere that could sway the match’s outcome.

As predicted, weather conditions will affect the game, with light rain expected to complicate proceedings and may influence play style. Madrid’s tactical adjustments, combined with Sociedad’s energetic counterattacks, will be essential in securing a top performance.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM ET, with fans able to follow the action live on ESPN and Disney+ in Brazil, and through local broadcasting channels in Spain.