Real Sociedad will be aiming to use their one-goal advantage when they play Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
La Real secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg at San Mames last month, with Benat Turrientes scoring the only goal.
Sociedad’s Copa del Rey History
Real Sociedad were impressive in their one-goal success and are now in an excellent position to reach the final, but their job is not complete.
La Real have won the Copa del Rey on three previous occasions, with their last success in 2019-20, beating Athletic in the final.
In total, Real Sociedad and Athletic have met on 14 occasions in the Copa del Rey, with the former boasting six wins to the latter’s five. Four of their last five contests in this competition have been won by the White and Blues.
Real Sociedad enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Mallorca, which leaves them eighth in La Liga, five points off the top six.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side would take on either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona in the final of this season’s Copa del Rey if they win on Wednesday night.
Athletic’s Cup Hopes
Athletic enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. They have been in strong form since losing the first leg to Real Sociedad, picking up seven points from their last three league fixtures.
Ernesto Valverde’s side are unbeaten in La Liga since January 24, and 35 points from 26 matches has left them in ninth position in the table, also five points off the top six.
The Lions are the second-most successful side in the history of the Copa del Rey, having won the competition on 24 occasions, second to Barcelona’s 32.
Athletic’s last triumph in the Copa del Rey came in 2023-24, which was their first success since lifting the trophy in 1983-84.
- Athletic have not managed to overcome Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey since February 1982.
- They are winless in each of their last four Basque derbies.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Real Sociedad will again be missing Takefusa Kubo due to a hamstring problem. Alvaro Odriozola and Inaki Ruperez will also be absent.
There are not expected to be any surprises when it comes to the Real Sociedad XI for this game, with the matchwinner from the first leg – Turrientes – again set for a spot in midfield.
Orri Oskarsson is viewed as an injury doubt, so Carlos Soler is likely to be given the nod to support Mikel Oyarzabal in the final third of the field.