UEFA Europa League Tactical Analysis: How Real Sociedad resisted Manchester United
Friday, March 7, 2025
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UEFA Technical Observer Rui Faria gets inside Real Sociedad's 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg.
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"It’s a good game for [Rasmus Højlund]; they are really brave for the pressure and play a high line," said Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim of Real Sociedad before the sides' 1-1 draw in their UEFA Europa League round of 16 opener in San Sebastian. "He can use his pace to help us reach the goal."
Those words about Real Sociedad’s bravery, pressure and a high line related to key tactical points from Thursday’s Europa League last 16 first leg in Spain. As UEFA Technical Observer Rui Faria explains, this was a match where United's tactics worked best until Real Sociedad equalised with Mikel Oyarzabal's 70th-minute penalty.
Strategies and Solutions
"United's plan to run behind is clear when Real Sociedad are high up the pitch," says Faria. "United created their chances by finding runners. They also looked to Casemiro and Bruno to bring balance to the midfield. The experienced pair dictated the pressure and controlled the spaces, communicating and connecting well between defending and attacking."
We can see in the first video United's defenders drawing their opponents forward and then driving a long diagonal pass towards Diogo Dalot, who breaks the defensive line with his run while staying onside. It leads to a goalscoring opportunity.
We see it again in the second part, where Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu drop back and find space between the lines, pulling Real Sociedad defenders with them. Zirkzee looks over his shoulder then hits a line-breaking pass beyond the defenders for Dorgu. Four more United players are in the immediate attack, while Zirkzee offers back-up as another goalscoring opportunity arrives. The connection between the passer (Zirkzee) and the runner (Dorgu) is clear as they recognise the situation and opportunity.
"United were pragmatic with a balanced block that didn't break easily," said Faria. "They allowed some space for Real Sociedad to build but La Real couldn’t play through the block."
Amorim, as he said before the game, knew his opponents’ strengths and planned to counter them. "United scored a good goal," said Faria. "Zirkzee would drop more and help with the build-up. Zirkzee is on the left and Garnacho from the right because Casemiro stays always more positional in front of the defensive line on the left side, allowing Zirkzee to drop in between lines. On the right side Bruno progresses more on the pitch allowing Garnacho to be more focused in depth."
Real Sociedad's aggressive response
La Real were much improved after their equalising penalty. The home team were encouraged by the goal and the crowd. In the second video, we see their players jump forward in unison to press United and force a mistake. They also keep players back to stop United beating their press.
Amorim said that Real Sociedad were brave in their press, so goalkeeper André Onana usually hit longer balls rather than playing short and inviting pressure.
"Real Sociedad pressed well, with organisation, drive and aggression," said Faria. We can see evidence of their press in the second video. "When you are successful in your pressing game, the opponents are uncomfortable under pressure. Each Real Sociedad player had a pressing reference, but they also had the confidence and belief that they would succeed. Their synchronised movement and aggressiveness with speed of jumps caused problems."
Orri Óskarsson's impact
The arrival of Real Sociedad substitute Orri Óskarsson in the 63rd minute had a significant impact on the game, the Icelander creating opportunities for himself and others to win the game.
We can see his best chance in the third video, when he gets ahead of his marker and prods a shot wide. Later on, he feints a body swerve to free up space for himself, getting free to shoot on goal. "Óskarsson did well," said Faria. "Real Sociedad drew Dorgu forward in the wide area where Becker, another late sub, was in a one-on-one situation. Having seen his partner making a run into the space between the back line and goalkeeper, Becker delivered an early cross.
"Óskarsson used his body well, drops a shoulder on the transition to unbalance [Matthijs] de Ligt and move into the space behind. He got ahead of his man and didn't allow the defender to recover, thus getting ahead of De Ligt and almost scoring."
"It was an even match," concluded Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil. "There were chances at both ends, and after their goal it was difficult for us. Then, after our substitutions and equaliser, we deserved to win. The tie is still alive. There are reasons to be satisfied, although what we wanted was to win.
"We knew this was going to be decided in the second leg, and what we have to do now is win on their pitch – something we have already achieved," he said, referencing Real Sociedad's famous 2022 victory at Old Trafford.
Key lesson – tactical responsibility
"Everything starts from the team being clear with what needs to be done in terms of tactical responsibilities," concluded Faria. "Individually, the right mentality and physical resilience will allow you to be efficient in the tactical approach. Individual player actions always have collective reference – and they are activated by the tactical triggers highlighted."
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