This version of Real Sociedad is in my view superior to that. They’re a well run, knit together and well coached team. After brushing horns with the big guys for a while last season, slipping a bit towards the end but reaching the cup final and a Europa League place, they lost playmaker Ødegaard and yet leads La Liga this year. They are inexperienced in Europe, but have gotten some decent matching in the group games facing Napoli and AZ. Coach Immanol is in house after going the ranks with youth setup, and the team is based around young talent with work ethic and collective spirit drilled into them, while allowing players freedom to express themselves. Ødegaard was helped by this, and players like Mikel Oyarzabal, Januzaj, David Silva and Alexander Isak are interesting to follow in that setup.
Fingers crossed their form has dipped when we meet them, otherwise it’s going to be a really tough nut to crack, and an interesting fixture.