La Real, Imanol and Anoeta: the European Union

La Real is strongly involved in the pursuit of its third consecutive qualification for Europe. The challenge has been getting bigger due to the powerful lineup of direct rivals, because sparks fly between the narrow distances in the standings and because it is a milestone that only the generation of champions achieved. They were the only ones to achieve a full triennium of continental classifications.

The League returns on Monday. There are nine games to go and Real is sixth with 48 points. Six away from the Champions zone and three ahead of the seventh, which is Villarreal. Five of the pending commitments are in Anoeta. The locker room appeals to communion with the stands, starting with their coach, to become strong in the final sprint.

La Real, Imanol and the Anoeta public form a respectable trident. The end of the season with Orio’s coach on the bench is generally happy. The imminent one will be the fifth under the baton of Sheriff, who broke out like a hurricane in 2018: his first four games at home were victories.

The second time he served as an interim, Imanol left a mark of 10 points on the last 15 that were put into play at home, despite the fact that Real finished outside Europe. The outcome of the two previous campaigns was successful: a ticket to the Europa League. And that in 2020 the final stretch was twisted, when football resumed after confinement due to the pandemic.

Isak’s goal at El Sadar in 2021 is the latest example that Real de Imanol is reliable with everything on one card. The novel note of this championship final is the presence of the public in the stands. The 2020 and 2021 Leagues said goodbye to an empty door. Just imagining the atmosphere that is generated in Anoeta on the occasion of each Real match, the union with the people is the living image of hope.

Three direct duels

If the Real marks an anthology brooch in Anoeta and wins the five remaining games, it will qualify for Europe. It would exceed the 60 points that are calculated to be among the top six at the end of the League. A big fight with bullets in the chamber: the four visits that Real has to pay to the fields of Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Villarreal.

La Real will receive two apparently affordable opponents at Anoeta, starting with Espanyol this Monday (9:00 p.m.). Cádiz will arrive at Anoeta in May, yes, with the permanence at stake with total security. The other three guests impose more.

Betis and Barcelona will visit Real in a matter of six days. The Sevillians are fifth with two more points and Xavi Hernández’s team, in top form, has climbed to third place with a lead of six points over Real. There will be two direct duels, against the full-fledged Betis, which exponentially increase the difficulty of the pending route at home. Atlético de Madrid completes the list of roosters. Being on the last day, perhaps with the duties consigned by one side. It will be in an overflowing Anoeta. That’s for sure.

record coach

Imanol rules in the history of Anoeta

The 82 official matches that he has led Real Sociedad in Anoeta make Imanol the lord and master of the stadium. No coach has sat more times than Orio’s on the realistic local bench. Yet another sample to identify in his slim silhouette a true referential figure, capable of marking an era in the club. 51% of these 82 games have been wins for Real (42), to 22 draws (27%) and 18 losses (22%). Imanol directs Real to a clean record. On Monday against Espanyol he will turn 170 and he will remain alone as the fifth coach with the most games in the club’s history.