Real Sociedad Vs Osasuna

Real Sociedad and Osasuna are set to face off once again in a highly anticipated Copa del Rey quarter-final clash at the Reale Arena on Thursday. This encounter marks their second meeting within just a few days, following their La Liga battle on Sunday, where Osasuna emerged victorious with a 2-1 win at El Sadar. With home advantage this time around, Real Sociedad will be eager to avenge their recent defeat and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Real Sociedad have encountered a rough patch in their recent outings, suffering four defeats in their last five matches across all competitions. Their struggles began with a league loss to Valencia, followed by a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Lazio in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Another setback against Getafe in La Liga compounded their woes, but they managed to regain some form with a 2-0 victory over PAOK, a result that ensured their progression to the knockout round playoffs of the European competition.

However, their return to domestic action did not go as planned, as they succumbed to Osasuna in Sunday’s La Liga fixture. Despite a late goal from Orri Oskarsson offering a glimmer of hope, Real Sociedad were unable to mount a comeback, ultimately falling to a 2-1 defeat. This poor run of form has left them languishing in the bottom half of the La Liga table, sitting in 11th place with just four points separating them from the coveted top-six positions.

With their league campaign temporarily on hold, Real Sociedad now shift their focus to the Copa del Rey, a tournament in which they have enjoyed considerable success in recent years. Under the guidance of Imanol Alguacil, La Real have consistently performed well in the competition, reaching the quarter-finals for the fourth successive season. Their journey to this stage has seen them overcome Jove Espanol, Conquense, Ponferradina, and most recently, Rayo Vallecano.

As three-time Copa del Rey winners, Real Sociedad will be determined to go one step further and reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive year. They can take confidence from their impressive home form, having won seven of their last nine matches in all competitions at the Reale Arena. Playing in front of their passionate supporters, they will look to capitalize on the familiar surroundings and put an end to their recent struggles.

On the other side, Osasuna enter this fixture with dreams of making history by winning their first-ever major trophy. Having come agonizingly close in the 2021-22 season when they reached the Copa del Rey final, only to be edged out 2-1 by Real Madrid, Los Rojillos are eager to go all the way this time around.

Their route to the 2024-25 quarter-finals has been impressive, beginning with comfortable victories over Chiclana and Ceuta. They then faced a tougher challenge against Tenerife but managed to advance before producing a stunning display in the last-16 stage, where an Ante Budimir brace inspired them to a thrilling 3-2 away victory over defending champions Athletic Bilbao.

Following their cup triumph over Bilbao, Osasuna continued their positive momentum in La Liga with back-to-back draws against Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas. However, their confidence received a significant boost with their recent 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, a result that ended their long wait for a league victory. Prior to that, their last La Liga win came in early November against Real Valladolid, making their weekend success all the more significant.

Currently occupying eighth place in the standings, Osasuna will be hopeful of maintaining their upward trajectory as they prepare for their Copa del Rey showdown. Their away form against Real Sociedad serves as an encouraging factor, having secured victories in their last two visits to the Reale Arena. Their most recent triumph at the venue came in October when Lucas Torro and Ante Budimir found the net to guide them to a commanding 2-0 win.

As they gear up for Thursday’s encounter, Osasuna will be aware of the challenges posed by Real Sociedad’s home advantage. Nevertheless, their recent success in San Sebastián will give them belief that they can once again emerge victorious. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, both teams will be highly motivated to deliver their best performance and keep their Copa del Rey dreams alive.

The match promises to be a fiercely contested battle, with Real Sociedad eager to bounce back from their recent setbacks and Osasuna aiming to build on their recent successes. Given the intensity of their previous meetings and the high stakes involved, fans can expect an enthralling encounter at the Reale Arena as these two sides lock horns for a coveted semi-final berth.