Three talking points ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid | La Liga GW5

Two weeks after their last game in La Liga, defending champions Real Madrid return to action tonight against Real Sociedad in what will be a thrilling clash.

The men in white are set to travel to the Basque country where they will take on Real Sociedad in what promises to be a high-octane battle. Both teams, however, have enjoyed contrasting starts to the new season.

While Los Blancos won two and drew two of their first four games, La Real have lost twice and have one win and a draw to their name.

Given the events over the past two weeks, however, the dynamic of the squad is different to when the dressing room last convened. With some fresh injuries, some well-rested players and other fatigued legs, manager Carlo Ancelotti has big calls to make.

Considering the opposition’s poor run of form so far, the game presents Real Madrid with an opportune moment to climb further up the league standings and maintain their newfound momentum.

The only hurdle, however, will be playing away from home at a stadium where the team has won just two times, lost once and drawn once in their last four appearances.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid.

Defensive relief

The recently concluded international break was filled with tension in Madrid for the team saw multiple players ruled out through injury and even returning to the club facilities.

Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao were two such players who were sent back to Madrid after sustaining blows in international training and were expected to miss tonight’s game.

The latter’s situation, in particular, sent shockwaves through the fanbase as it virtually left the manager with Antonio Rudiger as his only available centre-back option.

As revealed earlier this week, however, Militao has recovered from his setback earlier than anticipated and is expected to start tonight against Real Sociedad.

Needless to say, this comes as a big relief to the manager as he will have his first-choice defensive pairing to count on tonight. Furthermore, Mendy has also received the medical all-clear and will be available to start.

A thinly-stretched midfield department

Real Madrid’s new season began as one with a slight worry over the defensive depth. Ironically, however, it is the midfield that leaves the manager with few options ahead of today’s clash.

Ancelotti seemingly had endless depth in the department ahead of the new season but repeated injuries have depleted the available resources to no end.

Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos all miss the game in San Sebastian through injury, leaving the coach with only three natural senior midfield options on the night.

The first question Ancelotti must solve against Real Sociedad is whom to deploy as the defensive midfielder. Given the limited options in the squad, it could well be Federico Valverde tasked with the role of holding the fortress.

Luka Modric and Arda Guler, meanwhile, are likely to start as the interiors considering how the former’s experience can help build a stable partnership with his young partner. Brahim Diaz is also an option for Ancelotti.

Needless to say, the manager’s only wish for tonight will be to ensure that the team has no further setbacks in midfield.

First win on the road?

Of Real Madrid’s four games so far, two have been at the Santiago Bernabeu with the others being away from home.

Notably, however, both the team’s wins came in the matches played at home. Real Madrid’s draws, meanwhile, came against Mallorca at Estadi Son Moix and Las Palmas at Gran Canaria.

It can be no coincidence that Real Madrid have been able to win this season playing with the backing of the home crowd but have failed to do so with a change in scenery and Ancelotti will look to turn that around tonight.

Taking on Real Sociedad at Anoeta is difficult enough in itself, let alone during a poor run of form.

As such, the men in white will have pressure on their shoulders to record their first away win of the season, and in the process, announce their return to form.