2023-12-13 01:47:18
Real Sociedad completes a perfect group stage by drawing at Inter Milan’s home. There were no goals and few chances, but the Txuri-Urdin team qualified for the next round of the Champions League as first in the group.
Real’s dominance in the first half
Brave start for Real Sociedad at the Giuseppe Meazza. Although the first chance of the match went to Inter Milan with a long-distance shot by Calhanoglu, much superior to the Basque team, which was well planted.
In the 20th minute, possession was 20-80% in favor of Imanol’s team., who made long plays with the ball. In a play where the Swiss goalkeeper took too many risks, he almost cost him the goal after pressure from Sadiq. Merino tried with a shot, which he blocked Charles Augustus.
Inter were waiting for the counterattack and in those quick attacks they generated a lot of danger. In one of those he was almost ahead. Thuram drove and Alexis finished, but the Chilean’s shot hit a defender and the shot fell again to the former FC Barcelona player, who put a good ball into the goal. Thuram, but Traoré took the ball. The last of the first half went to the txuri-urdin team with a corner kick that Kubo placed and finished Mikel Merino, but he took out Charles Augustus. With the score at 0-0, the first 45 minutes ended.
Mikel Merino regretting the occasion. Photo: Getty Images
Serious warnings from Inter
The second half started with the same 22 protagonists on the pitch. It was difficult for Real Sociedad in the first minutes of the second half to get the ball from behind, due to the high pressure from the Italian team. Frattesi had the first clear chance after passing through the locker room after a header from Thuram.
With 20 minutes left, two chances in a row for the Donosti team. First, Zakharyan had it after a drop shot from Kubo, but Acerbi deflected the shot into a corner. That corner kick was finished off by Oyarzabal, but the ball was saved by goalkeeper Sommer.
The referee signaled a penalty 15 minutes from the end in favor of the team led by Imanol. Although, the referee was called to review the action in the VAR and corrected its initial decision, annulling the maximum penalty and showing the yellow card to Kubo for simulating. In injury time, Inter had the victory at the feet of one of the players that Inzagui brought on, Lautaro Martínez. However, the Argentine player’s shot at the far post went just over the goal.
Lautaro Martínez with the ball at Inter-Real Sociedad. Photo: Getty Images
Work completed and now for the round of 16
A point that allows Real Sociedad to finish in first position in group D with 12 points, the same as Inter Milan, which will also be in the draw for the round of 16 on December 18. Imanol’s men close the group stage without losing and they will play the second leg of the round of 16 at home.
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