Nine Home Points at Anoeta: Real Sociedad's European Ambition

The quirks of the calendar and the rescheduled Copa del Rey final have set the stage for a critical period for Real Sociedad. The team is preparing to play its next three LaLiga fixtures consecutively at Anoeta, with nine valuable points up for grabs. These matches could prove decisive in their objective of securing European qualification, with a potential fifth-place finish even opening the door to the Champions League. A key question remains: how will the upcoming Copa del Rey final in Seville impact their focus on this intense continental race?

Real Sociedad is banking on the renewed strength of their home performances under manager Pellegrino Matarazzo. Their record at Anoeta boasts four wins and two draws, providing a solid foundation and confidence for this immediate run of league fixtures. Since Matarazzo's debut, which saw a draw against Atlético, the txuriurdin side secured consecutive victories against Barcelona (2-1), Celta (3-1), and Elche (3-1). Despite a subsequent stumble with a 3-3 draw against Oviedo, they quickly regained their home dominance with a 3-1 win over Osasuna.

In total, this translates to an impressive 14 points out of a possible 18 at home, without suffering a single defeat. This robust performance should provide significant morale and confidence as they prepare for their next two home encounters against Levante and Deportivo Alavés, both preceding the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final, now with fans in attendance.

The Copa del Rey Final: A Potential Turning Point

The major consideration is the potential influence of that decisive cup final – an opportunity to lift the trophy just six years later, this time with supporters in the stands. This prospect has become an obsession, with the club's entourage seemingly already focused more on Seville than on Gipuzkoa. While Real Sociedad has demonstrated commitment to LaLiga so far, it remains to be seen how their focus might shift as the May 18th date approaches.

Furthermore, following the final, Matarazzo's squad will return to league action once again at home, facing Getafe. This match offers another three crucial points in their quest for a continental berth. By then, they will know whether they have secured the Copa del Rey title and direct qualification for the Europa League, or if they must redouble their efforts through LaLiga to earn another journey across the continent.