Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Club: Copa del Rey Semifinal Preview Real Sociedad faces Athletic Club in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal on Wednesday, March 4. The Basque derby, held at Real Sociedad’s home stadium, San Mamés, sees the home team enter with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Beñat Turrientes scored the decisive goal in the opening match, securing a road victory for Sociedad. The two clubs are closely matched in La Liga, with Real Sociedad currently in eighth place and Athletic Club in ninth. Both teams have accumulated 35 points after 26 matches, reflecting their strong performances this season. The rivalry between the sides is further highlighted by their recent Copa del Rey history. Real Sociedad last claimed the trophy in 2020, defeating Athletic Club in the final, while Athletic Club won the competition in 2024 by overcoming Mallorca. The winner of this semifinal will face Atletico Madrid in the final. Atletico advanced to the final by narrowly defeating Barcelona in the other semifinal. The upcoming match will determine which Basque club advances to the final, adding to the significance of the derby. Despite the teams’ parity, Real Sociedad holds a slight edge due to the first-leg advantage and the home crowd’s support. The match is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides aiming to secure a place in the final. Analysts predict a narrow victory for the hosts, with Real Sociedad likely to dominate proceedings on their turf. The game will be broadcast live, with fans across Spain and beyond eagerly anticipating the outcome. As the teams prepare for the high-stakes encounter, the rivalry’s history and the potential for a dramatic final showdown continue to fuel excitement for the tournament’s next chapter.#copa_del_rey #atletico_madrid #real_sociedad #athletic_club #san_mame_s
