La Liga strugglers Real Sociedad welcomed the champions Atletico Madrid to the Anoeta on Sunday evening.
The visitors took the lead after 10 minutes through Mario Mandzukic, but Carlos Vela levelled for Sociedad five minutes later.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men early in the second period when Guilherme Siqueira was sent from the field and Sociedad made their advantage count late on with a header from Imanol Agirretxe.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's final live La Liga commentary of week 11 comes from the Anoeta as struggling Real Sociedad welcome the champions Atletico Madrid. Right, before we down to the facts and figures ahead of this match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
SOCIEDAD: Zubikarai; C.Martinez, Gonzalez, I.Martinez, Yuri; Bergara, Granero; Vela, Prieto, Castro; Agirretxe
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Suarez; Koke, Garcia, Turan; Mandzukic
So there we have it. Sociedad are yet to officially announce their new manager and therefore Sociedad B boss Asier Santana has selected the side this evening. It is an attacking XI for the hosts, with Immanol Agirretxe and Carlos Vela both included. There are also starts for Chory Castro and Esteban Granero.
Atletico, meanwhile, are pretty much as expected at the Anoeta. Antoine Griezmann is once again on the bench, with Raul Garcia and Arda Turan providing the support to lone forward Mario Mandzukic. Mario Suarez, meanwhile, is preferred in midfield to Tiago, who has recently returned from injury.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won three of the last five, with Sociedad also winning once and the further clash ending in a 1-1 draw. Atletico recorded a 2-1 win in the corresponding match last term, before thumping Sociedad 4-0 at the Calderon in February.
Sociedad's 1-0 defeat to Malaga last time out proved the final straw for the club's hierarchy, with the decision taken to remove Jagoba Arrasate from his position as head coach. It has been a very disappointing season thus far, with six points from 10 games leaving the Basque side in 19th position.
Sociedad have only won once this season, but that victory came in this stadium against current leaders Real Madrid. The most worrying aspect of Sociedad's form is that they have not had the toughest run of games. In recent weeks, they have lost to Espanyol, Getafe and Malaga, and drawn with Cordoba.
Atletico, however, will enter this match off the back of five consecutive wins in all competitions. Last time out in the league, they recorded a 4-2 victory over Cordoba, with that result leaving Diego Simeone's side on 23 points from 10 matches. They have lost just once in the league this season and have showed no signs of falling away despite selling a host of key players in the summer window.
As it stands, the visitors sit fourth in the table, four points behind the leaders Real Madrid and two behind second-place Barcelona, who both won on Saturday. Three points for the away side this evening would move them into second, but they have surprisingly struggled for goals on the road this season – registering just five in their four matches thus far. Can Sociedad cause a shock at the Anoeta?
Have a look at what Barney Corkhill and I had to say about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. No sign of David Moyes yet, but I shall keep an eye out for the Scot! Right, the away side get the clash underway.
Bright start to the match, with the visitors immediately forcing the issue in the final third. Sociedad manage to work the ball forward down the right, but Castro cannot find the run of Vela. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match.
Far from a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a decent atmosphere. Sociedad need the feel-good factor to return. Bergara is a shade fortunate not to pick up a booking after diving into the back of Turan, but the referee lets the challenge go. Bright opening four minutes.
Almost a half-chance for Atletico as a loose clearance from Zubikarai is met by Turan, but the Turk cannot find the run of Garcia. Sociedad attempt to break moments later, but Suarez fouls Vela. Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but the tempo from both sides is good.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of conceding possession in the final third. A poor pass from Yuri hands Atletico a throw in an advanced area, but the champions are forced back. Still goalless with eight minutes played here.
Still no bookings, but we must be getting close as the challenges continue to arrive. Atletico have a free kick some 40 yards from goal, but Mikel Gonzalez beats Godin to the ball.
GOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Atletico (Mandzukic)
The visitors have the lead with 10 minutes on the clock as Mandzukic powerfully finishes a beautiful low cross from Garcia. That is special from the champions. What a start!
Sociedad attempt to respond almost immediately as Vela whips a dangerous cross onto the head of Agirretxe, but his effort is just wide of the post. Well, this match has suddenly burst into life. There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium, however.
BOOKING! Suarez picks up his routine booking for a foul on Agirretxe.
It has been a decent response from the home side, with Vela causing problems in a wide position. Yuri delivers a dangerous cross towards the near post, but Miranda is on hand to clear. Atletico have not really been able to build on their goal thus far, but they are so strong in defensive areas.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-1 Atletico (Vela)
The home side are back in this! It is brilliant from Vela as the Mexican collects possession outside the box before curling a stunning effort into the bottom corner. That is superb from the striker.
BOOKINGS! Turan and Juanfran are both booked for Atletico after exchanging words with the referee. The champions have been rocked by that goal it must be said.
Well, this has been a bit tasty thus far! Two excellent goals and a host of controversial moments involving the referee. More of the same please - we could have a classic on our hands here.
BOOKING! Yuri now booked for fouling Turan. Yellows for everyone!
Sociedad threaten once more as Castro delivers a deep cross towards Vela, but Moya is on hand to collect. Not too much from the champions at the moment, with the home side looking the better team. The referee, meanwhile, continues to stop the play after every late challenge.
BOOKING! Oh my word - more controversy here. Vela goes down inside the box under a challenge from Godin, but instead of awarding a penalty, the referee books Vela for diving. For me, that is a penalty. What a moment in this match. What has the referee seen there?
Sociedad are all over Atletico at the moment...
Atletico launch a rare counter as Turan drives down the left before delivering a cross towards Garcia, but Bergara is on hand to make the clearance. Sociedad are straight down the other end with Vela, but the Mexican cannot move past Gabi. Still 1-1 with 26 minutes on the clock here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with the away side just managing to regain some control in the middle of the park. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining.
Atletico work the ball around the edge of the Sociedad box, with Turan and Siqueira both involved, but eventually the danger is cleared. Juanfran needs to be a little careful as the right-back, who has been booked, dives into the back of Yuri. This referee has been card happy thus far.
All three La Liga games today have been drawn - are we heading for a fourth here? I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with the way that the match has unfolded thus far.
Good pressure from the visitors in the last couple of minutes, with Turan looking the most likely to make something happen. The champions continue to force the issue with a couple of throw-ins, but eventually Sociedad manage to clear. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.
OFF THE LINE! Oh my word what a chance for the home side! A terrible mistake from Miranda presents the ball to Agirretxe, who rounds Moya and has an open goal, but the striker's effort is somehow cleared off the line by Godin. How on earth has that just happened?!
Terrible from Miranda, terrible from Agirretxe, brilliant from Godin. That sums it up!
Vela looks in the mood this evening as the Mexican gains a free kick from Gabi in an advanced position. Brilliant opportunity for the home side to gain what would be a deserved lead...
... Granero goes for goal, but Moya gets both fists on his effort to clear the danger. Moya is again called into action moments later to deny a long-range strike from Carlos Martinez.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining and it has been a brilliant first 41 minutes. Sociedad have been the better side, but they might be made to regret missed opportunities here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the half, but Sociedad have come on strong again, with crosses from the right causing all sorts of problems. Granero takes matters into his own hands outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to regaining the lead in the latter stages of the half as Godin meets a free kick from Koke, but his header just moved high of the crossbar. The Sociedad goalkeeper came but got nowhere near the cross. Still 1-1 at the Anoeta.
HALF-TIME: Sociedad 1-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with the two sides level at 1-1. Mandzukic sent Atletico ahead after 10 minutes, but a stunning strike from Vela levelled the scores five minutes later. Sociedad have been the better side for long spells against the champions.
STATS! Atletico shaded the possession with 54%, but they had just three attempts - two of which were on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, registered eight attempts - three on target. It has also been a feisty half in terms of challenges, with the referee issuing five yellow cards thus far.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Finnbogason, Zurutuza and Pardo. Meanwhile, Atletico have the likes of Cerci, Gimenez, Griezmann and Saul in reserve. Will we see any changes at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. More of the same please, the first 45 minutes was just excellent. It is the home side that get the action underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations could indeed occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but the away side have been in control for the most part. Atletico threaten from a corner, but Zubikarai just manages to claim under pressure from Godin. The next goal could be decisive in this match.
BOOKING! Siqueira is booked for a late challenge on Gonzalez.
Half-chance for the home side as Inigo Martinez meets a free kick from Prieto, but his header just drops high of the crossbar. Both teams have had some positive moments in the early stages of the half.
RED CARD! (Siqueira)
Atletico are reduced to 10 men as Siqueira is sent from the field for a late challenge on Vela. Very controversial, but the left-back was late. Well, this is going to be interesting.
BOOKING! Garcia is also booked for arguing with the referee.
This is all getting very tetchy as Vela goes down inside the Atletico box once again.
Replays have shown that Vela met the shoulder of Mandzukic inside the Atletico box, but the referee was not interested. The visitors were preparing to make their first change here.
SUB! Suarez is replaced by Ansaldi.
This is on the verge of boiling over once again. It would not be a surprise to see another red card this evening. Sociedad are also preparing to make their first change of the match here.
SUB! Zaldua replaces Yuri for the home side.
Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining and the score remains level at 1-1. There has not been too much in the way of chances in the second period, with cards and controversial moments dominating the play thus far. Hopefully we can now switch back to the football!
Mandzukic is really struggling at the moment, with the forward asked to provide the legs in attack. That is not really the Croatian's game and it would not be a surprise to see Atletico make their second change in the next couple of minutes. Would Simeone settle for a point from this position?
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score their second as Ansaldi sets up Mandzukic inside the box, but the striker's left-footed effort whistles wide of the post.
Atletico have started to take control of the possession in the last couple of moments, despite being down to 10 men. You just get the feeling that Sociedad will never have a better chance to beat the champions. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at the Anoeta, with the score still level.
Sociedad have another shout for a penalty as Ansaldi appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The Spanish official has not has the best of matches thus far it must be said.
Atletico have a free kick in a wide position as Turan draws a foul from Inigo Martinez. The resulting set piece is delivered by Koke, but there are no takers at the far post and Sociedad have a goal kick.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, despite the best efforts of the home side, who are the team on the front foot. Wouldn't it be just like Atletico if they could win this in the latter stages. Little over 20 minutes of this La Liga encounter remaining at the Anoeta.
Sociedad really need their supporters to raise the roof inside the stadium, but there is not much of an atmosphere at the moment, which is strange based on how the match has unfolded. Castro delivers a low cross into the away side's box, but Turan is across to clear at the near post. Still 1-1.
Mandzukic appears to have a problem for the away side as he hits the deck in the Sociedad half.
Replays have shown that the striker took a nasty challenge on the Achilles from Inigo Martinez, but the Atletico forward has returned to his feet. Griezmann seems the most obvious option for the visitors.
Neither side can keep the ball at the moment, with attack after attack breaking down in the final third. I wonder whether both teams could accept a point from this position? They more than likely would.
Half-chance for the home side as Vela curls one from outside the box, but Vela is on hand to make the save. Both managers still have two permitted changes remaining, but there is no sign of any movement on either bench. Atletico are fairly happy to sit in and absorb the pressure at the moment.
Simeone is warned by the referee after heading the ball away on the sidelines. It was a good header from the Atletico manager! Still 1-1 with little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining.
BOOKING! Koke is booked for a late challenge on Agirretxe.
BOOKING! Gabi is now in the book for bringing down Vela.
The referee has been very card happy in this match! Sociedad continue to threaten on the counter, but the away side are fairly comfortable with little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-1 Atletico (Agirretxe)
The home side take the lead with 82 minutes on the clock as Agirretxe heads a Zaldua cross into the back of the net after beating Miranda in the air. What a moment for the striker!
SUB! Change for the home team, with Castro replaced by Hervias.
SUBS! The away side make two changes as Griezmann and Rodriguez replace Turan and Gabi. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining here.
SUB! Sociedad make their third change as Zurutuza replaces Vela.
Sociedad are heading out of the relegation zone as things stand, but there is still time for the visitors to gain a late point here. There is no question that the hosts deserve to be ahead at this stage.
Sociedad have the ball in the Atletico half as the 90-minute mark fast approaches here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
Atletico continue to deliver high balls into the Sociedad box, but the home side manage to clear the danger time and time again. Nervy moments as Garcia keeps the attack alive...
Atletico continue to force the issue with high balls, but Sociedad will not be beaten in the air. Time is fast running out and the home side have possession deep inside the Atletico half.
Godin is playing centre-forward at the moment!
FULL-TIME: Sociedad 2-1 Atletico
Incredible night at the Anoeta. Sociedad pick up just their second league win of the season with a 2-1 success over 10-man Atletico, who remain in fourth position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
