One of the most intriguing matches of LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 4 is Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, and not just because it pits two talented squads against each other. This is also a special game for Xabi Alonso, who’ll return home to the club where he began his career. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
The match is taking place at Anoeta Stadium, kicking off at 16:15 CEST on Saturday September 13th. As one of the first fixtures following the international break, fans of Spanish football are eager to see this duel, as Real Madrid aim to maintain their 100 percent record while La Real seek their first victory of the season.
Real Sociedad: The club that believed in Xabi Alonso the player and the coach
All eyes will be on Xabi Alonso, as he coaches just his fourth league game for Real Madrid. It has been a brilliant start for the 43-year-old, having already achieved victories against CA Osasuna, Real Oviedo and RCD Mallorca. Now, this is arguably the toughest challenge yet.
For the man from Tolosa, this fixture means a return to his home region. Xabi Alonso spent much of his childhood in this part of the Basque Country and from a young age he supported Real Sociedad, the club his father Periko Alonso played for and won two LALIGA EA SPORTS championships with.
Soon, the young Alonso was in the Real Sociedad academy and he made his debut for the first team in 1999/2000 at the age of 18. After going out on loan to another Basque side, SD Eibar, Alonso was recalled halfway through the 2000/01 season and played a vital role in helping La Real avoid relegation, even given the captain’s armband by coach John Toshack.
The rest is history. Alonso went on to become one of the world’s best midfielders, winning trophies with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the Spanish national team, including the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
After hanging up his boots, Alonso moved into coaching. He took his very first steps in the Real Madrid academy, before returning to San Sebastián to coach the Real Sociedad B team, who he got promoted to LALIGA HYPERMOTION in 2020/21.
What followed was a move to and incredible success at Bayer Leverkusen, as he led the German club to their first ever major trophies, in winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. By ending Bayern Munich’s run of 11 consecutive league titles, the Spaniard immediately became one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.
A crucial game in Matchday 4
After signing with Real Madrid earlier this summer, Xabi Alonso is looking to lead his new club to glory. It has been an ideal start, but this Saturday’s match won’t be easy. Real Sociedad boast a very talented squad, containing the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, Gonçalo Guedes and Takefusa Kubo.
Trying to steer this La Real team in the right direction is another former Real Sociedad B coach: Sergio Francisco. He was also previously in charge of the club’s B team, and helped them earn promotion last season, but was immediately appointed to the first team to take over from club legend Imanol Alguacil. It has been a bumpy start, with two draws and one defeat to begin the new season, but Real Sociedad will give their all when Real Madrid come to town.
Even at this early stage of the season, this Saturday’s showdown is a huge one. And, it’s one that Xabi Alonso and Sergio Francisco have been working towards for many many years.
