M.Tel-Aviv Vs Real Socied

Real Sociedad will be looking to secure their first victory in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League when they face Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday in Belgrade. Both teams enter this match eager to improve their standing in the competition after struggling in their respective first two outings. Real Sociedad, having garnered only a single point thus far, will be aiming for a breakthrough win, while Maccabi Tel Aviv are still searching for their first points after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Struggles in the Group Stage

Maccabi Tel Aviv, managed by Zarko Lazetic, entered the Europa League group stage after being relegated from the Champions League qualifying rounds. The Israeli champions breezed through their Europa League qualifiers with ease, securing a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Panevezys before thrashing TSC with an emphatic 8-1 scoreline across two legs. This strong start in European competition raised expectations for Maccabi as they transitioned into the group stage. However, the team has found life much tougher in the main draw of the competition.

In their opening group-stage match, Maccabi Tel Aviv faced Portuguese side Braga and looked set to snatch a point. However, two late goals dashed their hopes, resulting in a 2-1 loss. Their second encounter in the Europa League group phase was equally disappointing, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Danish champions Midtjylland. Maccabi’s inability to register any points in these opening two fixtures leaves them as one of six teams in the competition yet to get on the board.

Despite their European struggles, Maccabi Tel Aviv has not let their poor form in the Europa League affect their domestic campaign. Following their defeat to Midtjylland, Maccabi responded with back-to-back victories over Maccabi Netanya and title rivals Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Premier League. These victories have propelled Maccabi to the top of their domestic league standings, where they now hold a commanding five-point lead. With six wins and one draw from their seven league matches this season, Maccabi Tel Aviv has been in formidable form on home soil. Head coach Zarko Lazetic will be desperate for his players to carry this momentum into their European campaign, knowing that a third straight defeat in the group stage would make qualification for the knockout rounds highly unlikely.

Real Sociedad’s Return to the Europa League

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, return to the Europa League after enjoying the prestige of Champions League football last season. The Basque side made it through the group stage of Europe’s elite competition in the 2023-24 campaign, but their journey ended in the round of 16, where they were knocked out by French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Now competing in the Europa League, La Real will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition, especially after their European adventure last season.

However, Real Sociedad’s start to this season’s Europa League group stage has been underwhelming. The Spanish club earned a point in their first match, drawing 1-1 with Nice, but were then dealt a blow in their second game when they surrendered a lead and ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Anderlecht. This loss extended their winless streak in the Europa League to five matches, a concerning statistic for a club of Real Sociedad’s stature and ambition.

Domestically, Real Sociedad have also found the going tough in the early stages of the 2024-25 season. In their first 12 matches across all competitions, they have managed only three wins, while drawing four and losing five. This inconsistent form has prevented them from building any real momentum, and it has been reflected in their Europa League performances so far. Despite these struggles, Real Sociedad are coming into Thursday’s fixture on the back of a much-needed victory. Last weekend, La Real secured a 1-0 away win against Girona, with captain Mikel Oyarzabal scoring his first goal of the season. The Basque club also managed to keep a clean sheet for the third time in five away matches, showing that their defense is capable of standing firm when needed.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Hoping to Avoid Further Disappointment

Maccabi Tel Aviv will be fully aware of the importance of Thursday’s match in Belgrade. After two straight defeats in the group stage, another loss would leave them facing a near-impossible task of advancing to the knockout rounds. Head coach Zarko Lazetic will look to his experienced players to rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance against a tough Real Sociedad side.

In particular, Maccabi will need to tighten up defensively, having conceded four goals in their first two Europa League group matches. The Israeli champions will also need to find more creativity and cutting edge in attack if they are to trouble the Real Sociedad backline. Although Maccabi Tel Aviv have shown their quality in the Israeli Premier League, where they remain unbeaten, replicating that form on the European stage has proved to be a challenge. If they can draw inspiration from their domestic success, Maccabi could still turn their European campaign around, but they must start by securing a positive result on Thursday.

Lazetic will likely rely on his key players, including the likes of Eran Zahavi, who remains a talismanic figure for the Israeli champions. Zahavi’s goal-scoring ability will be crucial if Maccabi are to break down Real Sociedad’s defense and finally get on the scoreboard in the Europa League. The experienced striker has been instrumental in Maccabi’s domestic success, and his leadership and attacking prowess could make the difference against Real Sociedad.

Real Sociedad: Aiming to Reignite Their Europa League Campaign

For Real Sociedad, Thursday’s fixture represents an opportunity to get their Europa League campaign back on track. While they have been far from their best in the early stages of the season, La Real have the quality within their squad to turn things around. Head coach Imanol Alguacil will be hoping that his team’s victory over Girona can serve as a springboard for improved performances, both domestically and in Europe.

Real Sociedad’s biggest issue so far this season has been inconsistency. The Basque side has struggled to string together positive results, and their lack of cutting edge in front of goal has been a concern. Despite boasting a talented forward line that includes the likes of Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo, Real Sociedad have found goals hard to come by in the opening months of the season. If they are to secure their first Europa League win on Thursday, they will need their attacking players to step up and deliver in front of goal.

Defensively, Real Sociedad have shown signs of improvement, particularly in away matches. Their recent clean sheets away from home suggest that they are capable of keeping things tight at the back. However, they will need to maintain their focus for the full 90 minutes, as lapses in concentration have cost them dearly in recent Europa League matches.

Key Players to Watch

For Maccabi Tel Aviv, the focus will be on veteran striker Eran Zahavi, who remains one of the most prolific goal scorers in Israeli football. Zahavi’s experience and clinical finishing will be vital if Maccabi are to break down a well-organized Real Sociedad defense. Additionally, midfielder Dan Glazer will be tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and providing the creative spark that Maccabi have been lacking in their European outings.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, will look to Mikel Oyarzabal to lead by example. The club captain has been a consistent performer for La Real over the years, and his goal against Girona will have boosted his confidence. Oyarzabal’s ability to create chances and score goals will be crucial for Real Sociedad as they look to secure a win. Japanese international Takefusa Kubo will also be a key player for the Basque side, with his pace and technical ability capable of causing problems for Maccabi’s defense.

Conclusion

As both teams prepare for Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash, the stakes could not be higher. Maccabi Tel Aviv are desperate to get their first points on the board, while Real Sociedad will be aiming to kickstart their European campaign with a victory. With so much on the line, fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter in Belgrade.