A double from Orri Oskarsson either side of half-time saw Real Sociedad return to winning ways in the UEFA Europa League after a run of three consecutive LaLiga defeats.
The hosts named a much changed team from their most recent loss at home to Getafe with the likes of Takefusa Kubo and Spain’s matchwinner from the Euro 2024 final, Mikel Oyarzabal, dropping to the substitutes bench. Nevertheless, they were able to get through tonight’s clash with comfort and progress to the play-offs.
As it happened
It was a slow and steady start to the match, summed up best by an abundance of empty blue seats spread around the Reale Arena. It took 20 minutes for Brais Méndez to show the first glimpse of quality from a man in a home shirt, as his through ball found Sheraldo Becker who forced a save out of Dominik Kotarski in the PAOK goal.
There was a real contrast on show with how both sides were approaching the match: Real Sociedad were willing to be patient when building up and allowed PAOK to easily organise themselves in their defensive structure, whilst the away side wanted to break as soon as possible after winning the ball back. Mady Camara broke the offside trap and eventually found Kiril Despodov waiting at the backpost, but after steadying himself, his effort was blocked by Sergio Gómez.
At long last, the deadlock was finally broken just before half-time. Ander Barrenetxea had been one of Real Sociedad’s brightest sparks and was found once again on the left-hand-side. His initial cross was too high but Sheraldo Becker kept it alive, finding Orri Oskarsson waiting to head it home for his fourth goal in all competitions since arriving from F.C. Copenhagen.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was then so nearly disaster for Dominik Kotarski, after being too casual with the ball he was robbed by the goalscorer Oskarsson – but fortunately for the Croatian, the ball was judged to have just about gone out of play before finding its way into the PAOK net.
PAOK flew out of the traps at the start of the second half, and much like they had done in the first 45 minutes, they were trying to make the most out of transitions. However, after Despodov was played in on goal by Brandon Thomas, his effort was tame and easily saved.
VAR had denied him in the first half, but it didn’t take long for Oskarsson to get his second of the evening as a great overlapping run by Elustondo resulted in an even better assist from the defender, with the whip from the cross making it easy for the Icelandic striker to power it past Kotarski.
Embed from Getty ImagesBarrenetxea had been a massive threat flying down Real Sociedad’s left hand side so far, having had the beating of Jonny and after another inviting cross, Orri Oskarsson so nearly had a hat trick of headers but unfortunately for the 20-year-old he was denied by the crossbar.
Next it was his strike partner Sheraldo Becker’s turn to miss. After some great work by Méndez to carry the ball up the pitch, he then played Becker in on goal but he once again shot straight at the keeper.
PAOK would have been scratching their heads wondering how they had not been able to get on the scoresheet, with substitute Fedor Chalov seeing his effort saved by Unai Marrero – and despite the ball falling for fellow sub Shola Shoretire to hit home, they were not able to beat Marrero who would not let his clean sheet go without a fight.
As the clock started ticking away the hosts were pushing for a third to round off a relatively comfortable victory, and the ball was being moved around quickly outside PAOK’s box before it opened up for Pablo Marín, however his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Both sides came into their final fixture of the league phase well aware that automatic qualification to the knockouts was out of reach, but they were also safe from finishing below 24th unless a disaster happened.
Real Sociedad will be happy to come away with a win after enduring a tough time in LaLiga recently – and they know that either AZ Alkmaar or FC Midtjylland stand in their way for a place in the round-of-16. PAOK make their way through by the skin of their teeth in 22nd on goal difference, meaning a tie against either Ajax or FC Steaua București is up next. The play-off draw takes place on Friday.
The lineups
RSO: Marrero; Odriozola, Elustondo, Aguerd, Gómez; Marín, Zubimendi, Méndez, Barrenetxea; Becker, Oskarsson
PAOK: Kotarski; Jonny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba Rahman; Ozdoev, Schwab; Despodov, Camara, Taison; Thomas