2011–12 Real Sociedad season

The 2011–12 season was Real Sociedad's 66th season in La Liga. After managing to stay up in the previous season the Basque club sacked Martín Lasarte and appointed Philippe Montanier as a new coach.

Real Sociedad
2011–12 season
PresidentJokin Aperribay
Head coachPhilippe Montanier
StadiumAnoeta
La Liga12th
Copa del ReyRound of 16
Top goalscorerLeague: Carlos Vela (12)
All: Vela-Agirretxe (12)

This article shows player statistics and all matches (official and friendly) that the club played during the 2011–12 season.

Season summary edit

 
Real Sociedad's progression during the 2011–12 season.

The Season started with the appointment of Philippe Montanier as a coach, and promises from the local media of a new ball-playing approach. The new campaign got off to a good start as Real Sociedad won its first game, away to Sporting Gijón. This optimism would not last, as the club found itself bottom of the table by late November. Talk of Montanier's imminent dismissal became overwhelming but two unexpected victories kept the Frenchman in the job. The first, away against Real Betis, was sealed in extra time when Iñigo Martínez shot from midfield, surprising the goalkeeper. This goal became a hit throughout Europe and was nominated as one of the goals of the season. The second victory, against Malaga, was obtained in extra-time too. It is widely accepted that without these two wins Montanier would have been sacked.

Towards the end of 2011 the Basque club stabilized in higher positions and relegation looked unlikely as Sporting Gijon, Racing Santander and Real Zaragoza looked already doomed. On the 36th round Real Sociedad mathematically avoided an unlikely relegation after defeating Racing Santander at home. The club finished in 12th position, with 47 points. Despite the improvement from the previous season and acceptable point tally, criticism of Montanier was widespread. Sections of the media and fans were disappointed in the style of play and Montanier's alleged lack of ambition. During a home game against Real Betis, a number of fans called for Montanier's resignation while the game was in play, and the score was 1–1.

Copa del Rey edit

In the cup the club met Granada. A home win was enough to knock the Andalusians out, despite being beaten and thoroughly outplayed in the second leg. Similarly, Mallorca were beaten at Anoeta, but a catastrophic second leg sent Real Sociedad out the competition after being defeated 6–1.

Others edit

Real Sociedad reached an agreement with Nike, who became the official suppliers of the team's kit and training clothing. Thus Real Sociedad ended a 17-year relationship with basque kit providers Astore [1]

Players edit

Squad information edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   CHI Claudio Bravo
2 DF   ESP Carlos Martínez
3 DF   ESP Mikel González
4 MF   ESP Gorka Elustondo
5 MF   ESP Markel Bergara
7 MF   FRA Antoine Griezmann
8 FW   ESP Joseba Llorente
9 FW   ESP Imanol Agirretxe
10 MF   ESP Xabier Prieto
11 MF   ESP Mikel Aranburu (captain)
13 GK   ESP Eñaut Zubikarai
14 MF   NED Jeffrey Sarpong
15 DF   ESP Ion Ansotegi
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF   NOR Vadim Demidov
17 MF   FRA David Zurutuza
18 MF   KEN McDonald Mariga
19 MF   ALG Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaïba
20 MF   ESP Asier Illarramendi
21 FW   URU Diego Ifrán
22 DF   ESP Dani Estrada
23 FW   MEX Carlos Vela
24 DF   ESP Alberto de la Bella
25 GK   ESP Toño Ramírez
26 DF   ESP Iñigo Martínez
27 MF   ESP Rubén Pardo

[2]

Start formations edit

Starting XI

Lineup that started most of the club's competitive matches throughout the season.

The formation above is not the standard lineup during the season. It is unclear whether the team played 4–3–3 or 4–2–3–1. Griezmann and Prieto often switched sides. Carlos Vela played in different attacking positions: wide left, off the striker and as a false nine. Cadamuro-Bentaïba was used as left-back instead of De la Bella as the latter was absent for a long period due to technical decisions and injuries.

The season was marked by the lack of a defined best 11, with constant changes that were not always understood by the local media and fans.

Player stats edit

Goalkeepers edit

Transfers edit

Martín Lasarte had his contract rescinded by the club almost immediately after the end of the season, being paid €50,000 for it.[3] After some speculation Philippe Montanier was appointed as new coach, for which Valenciennes received €500,000 from Real Sociedad.[4]

Controversially Diego Rivas was not offered a new contract and abandoned the club. Similarly Raul Tamudo left the club after a successful one-year stay. Experienced centre-half Mikel Labaka signed for Rayo Vallecano on a free transfer, ending a 14-year-long relationship with the club. Sutil was let go to Real Murcia after a season spent mostly on the bench.

Young prospects Borja Viguera, Alex Albistegi and Iñigo Sarasola returned to the club at the end of their loan spells. Iosu Esnaola signed for Noja and Sarasola and Albistegi had their contracts rescinded. Albistegi signed for Logroñes later that summer.

Out edit

Player New Team Fee
  Diego Rivas   Hércules CF Free, end of contract.
  Raúl Tamudo   Rayo Vallecano[5] Free, end of contract.
  Iñigo Sarasola Contract rescinded [6]
  Iosu Esnaola   SD Noja[7] Free[8]
  Francisco Sutil   Real Murcia Free, contract rescided[9]
  Alex Albistegi   Logroñés Free, contract rescided [10]
  Mikel Labaka   Rayo Vallecano[11] Free, contract rescinded

Loan out edit

Player Team
 Borja Viguera  Gimnàstic de Tarragona[12]
  Jeffrey Sarpong   NAC Breda[13]

Jeffrey Sarpong was loaned to Dutch club NAC Breda in the winter transfer window.

Loan return edit

Player From
  Borja Viguera   Gimnàstic de Tarragona, (who rescinded Viguera's contract in January)
  Iñigo Sarasola   Real Unión
  Iosu Esnaola   Real Unión, UD Lanzarote (April onwards)
  Alex Albistegi   Eibar

Loan in edit

Player From
  Carlos Vela   Arsenal[14][15]
  McDonald Mariga   Internazionale[16]

Loan end edit

Player To
  McDonald Mariga   Internazionale

McDonald Mariga, who had been signed on loan for a season from Inter Milan, returned to Italy during the winter window after a series of disappointing performances for Real Sociedad. Inter Milan loaned the Kenian again, this time to Parma.[17]

Pre-season edit

16 July 2011 Friendly Beasain   0–3 Real Sociedad Beasain
18:00 CET (Report)   14' Ifrán
  58', 74' Agirretxe
Stadium: Loinaz Stadium
Referee: Andoni Labaka
23 July 2011 Friendly Real Sociedad 4–0   Ajaccio Azpeitia, Spain
18:00 CEST Labaka   38'
Agirretxe   45' (pen.)
Sutil   66', 89' (pen.)
(Report) Stadium: Garmendipe
Referee: Pérez Lasa
30 July 2011 Friendly Toulouse   1–0 Real Sociedad Dax, Landes, France
19:00 CEST Tabanou   71'
Fofana   60'
(Report)   70' Cadamuro-Bentaïba Stadium: Stade Maurice Boyau
Referee: Dos Santos
7 August 2011 Friendly Pescara   2–2 Real Sociedad Pescara, Italy
20:45 CEST Insigne   6'
Soddimo   68'
(Report)   9' Zurutuza
  76' Sarpong
Stadium: Stadio Adriatico
Referee: Danilo Giannocaro
9 August 2011 Friendly A.S. Bari   1–0 Real Sociedad Verona, Italy
17:30 CEST Marotta   70'
Borghese   80'
(Report) Llorente   80' Stadium: Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi
Referee: Guida de Torrenunziata
11 August 2011 Friendly Lazio   2–0 Real Sociedad Rome, Italy
21:00 CEST Cissé   3'
Sculli   70'
Hernanes   84'
Kozák   86'
(report)   77' Illarramendi Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Referee: Luca Banti
13 August 2011 Friendly Catania   1–2 Real Sociedad Catania
--:-- CEST Potenza   36' (Report)   30' (o.g.) Spolli
  80' Sarpong
Stadium: Stadio Angelo Massimino
Referee: Daniele Doveri

League edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

27 August 2011 2 Sporting Gijón 1–2 Real Sociedad Gijón
18:00 CEST (UTC+02) De las Cuevas   68' (pen),   51'
Lora   44'   90'
Barral   90'
(Report)   35', 65' Agirretxe
  68' C. Martínez
  85' Aranburu
Stadium: El Molinón
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Jose Luis Paradas Romero
10 September 2011 3 Real Sociedad 2–2 Barcelona Donostia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02) Agirretxe   59'
Griezmann   60'
Zurutuza   61'
Cadamuro-Bentaïba   82'
(Report)   10' Xavi
  11' Fàbregas
  90' Messi
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
17 September 2011 4 Sevilla 1–0 Real Sociedad Seville
22:00 CEST (UTC+02) Kanouté   53'
Coke   30'
Escudé   45'
Spahić   88'
(Report)   6' Mariga
  66' De la Bella
Stadium: Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Referee: José Antonio Teixeira
21 September 2011 5 Real Sociedad 1–0 Granada Donostia
20:00 CEST (UTC+02) Estrada   64'  58'
Agirretxe   17'
Griezmann   77'
Illarramendi   78'
I. Martínez   78'
(Report)   32' Siqueira
  54' Jara
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo
25 September 2011 6 Mallorca 2–1 Real Sociedad Palma, Majorca
12:00 CEST (UTC+02) Víctor   20'
Castro   50'
Cáceres   4'
Pina   59'
(Report)   15' Agirretxe Stadium: Son Moix
Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez
2 October 2011 7 Real Sociedad 1–2 Athletic Bilbao Donostia
12:00 CEST (UTC+02) I. Martínez   61'
Illarramendi   68'
(Report)   34', 70' Llorente
  49' Amorebieta
  72' Iraola
  75' Gurpegui
  84' Susaeta
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: David Fernández Borbalán
16 October 2011 8 Real Zaragoza 2–0 Real Sociedad Zaragoza
16:00 CEST (UTC+02) Postiga   11', 49'
García   16'
Ponzio   26'
Lafita   65'
(Report)   23' I. Martínez
  57' C. Martínez
  58' Aranburu
Stadium: La Romareda
Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero
23 October 2011 9 Real Sociedad 0–0 Getafe Donostia
16:00 CEST (UTC+02) Ifrán   23'
Zurutuza   83'
(Report)   60' Torres Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández
26 October 2011 10 Levante 3–2 Real Sociedad Valencia, Spain
Nano   56'
Valdo   61',   38'
Rubén   90',   90'
Koné   19'
Juanfran   90'
Munúa   90'
(Report)   4' Estrada
  86' I. Martínez
  77' De la Bella
Stadium: Estadi Ciutat de València
Referee: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
29 October 2011 11 Real Sociedad 0–1 Real Madrid Donostia
22:00 CEST (UTC+02) Cadamuro-Bentaïba   47'
Griezmann   69'
C. Martínez   84'
Bergara   86'
I. Martínez   90'
(Report)   9' Higuaín
  11' Arbeloa
  82' Ramos
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
6 November 2011 12 Rayo Vallecano 4–0 Real Sociedad Vallecas
18:00 CEST (UTC+02) Piti   12' (pen)
Michu   49', 62'
Trashorras   72'
Jordi   57'
(Report)   12' I. Martínez
  57' Estrada
Stadium: Estadio Teresa Rivero
Referee: César Muñiz Fernández
20 November 13 Real Sociedad 0–0 Espanyol Donostia
12:00 CEST (UTC+02) Llorente   42'
Cadamuro-Bentaïba   46'
Ansotegi   57'
Illarramendi   64'
(Report)   30' Dídac Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande
27 November 2011 14 Real Betis 2–3 Real Sociedad Seville
12:00 CEST (UTC+02) Pereira   81', 85'
Casto   22'
Beñat   28'
Iriney   74'
(Report)   56' Agirretxe
  76' Vela
  90',   90' I. Martínez
  56' González
  58' Griezmann
Stadium: Estadio Benito Villamarín
Referee: Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo
4 December 2011 15 Real Sociedad 3–2 Málaga Donostia
16:00 CEST (UTC+02) Demichelis   10' (o.g.)
Vela   89'
Ifrán   90',   90'
Griezmann   76'
(Report)   20' Rondón
  59' Fernández
  24' Isco
  38' Monreal
  63' Sánchez
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Javier Turienzo Álvarez
11 December 2011 16 Villarreal 1–1 Real Sociedad Villarreal
16:00 CEST (UTC+02) Ruben   72'
Zapata   58'
Oriol   61'
(Report)   52' Aranburu
  2' González
  11' Zurutuza
  34'   62' Elustondo
Stadium: Estadio El Madrigal
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
18 December 2011 17 Racing Santander 0–0 Real Sociedad Santander
19:45 CEST (UTC+02) Adrián   26'
Colsa   29'
Bernando   32'
Stuani   45'
Cisma   59'
(Report)   45' Demidov
  45'   54' I. Martínez
  90' Bravo
Stadium: Estadio El Sardinero
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo
7 January 2012 18 Real Sociedad 0–0 Osasuna Donostia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02) (Report)   21' Puñal
  69' Satrustegi
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
14 January 2012 19 Valencia 0–1 Real Sociedad Valencia
22:00 CEST (UTC+02) Alba   54' (Report)   56' Griezmann Stadium: Mestalla
21 January 2012 1 Real Sociedad 0–4 Atlético Madrid Donostia
20:00 CEST (UTC+02) Demidov   2'
Aranburu   12'
Zubikarai   13'
González  71'
(Report)   3', 83', 90',   88' Falcao
  25' Miranda
  29' Suárez
  59' Gabi
  62' Filipe Luís
  67' Juanfran
  71' Diego
Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: César Muñiz Fernández
29 January 2012 21 Real Sociedad 5–1 Sporting Gijón Donostia
5–1 Zurutuza   2', 3'
Elustondo   75'
Aranburu   90+2'
Griezmann   90+3'
Summary   32' Rivera
  46' De las Cuevas
  52' Carmelo
  56' Botía
  69' Gálvez
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 22,081
Referee: José Luis González González
4 February 2012 22 Barcelona 2–1 Real Sociedad Barcelona
22:00 CET (UTC+01) Tello   9'
Messi   72'
Summary   34' I. Martínez
  73' Vela
  88' Llorente
Stadium: Camp Nou
Attendance: 92,000
Referee: Carlos Clos Gomez
13 February 2012 23 Real Sociedad 2–0 Sevilla Donostia
21:00 CET (UTC+01) I. Martínez   56'
Vela   65'
Pardo   69'
Summary   58' Manu
  88' Trochowski
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Ignacio Iglesias
19 February 2012 24 Granada 4–1 Real Sociedad Granada
12:00 CET (UTC+01) López   12'   45+2'
Rico   45+1'
Siqueira   49'   86'
Jara   57'
Uche   62', 87'
Report   10' González
  14' Lorente
  15' I. Martínez
  45' Illarramendi
  77' Cadamuro-Bentaïba
  78' Ifrán
Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes
Attendance: 21,000
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
26 February 2012 25 Real Sociedad 1–0 Mallorca Donostia
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Bergara   59'
Agirretxe   79'
Llorente   90+2'
Summary   53' Tissone
  60' Martí
  60' Pereira
  90' Ramis
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
4 March 2012 26 Athletic Bilbao 2–0 Real Sociedad Bilbao
16:00 CET (UTC+01) Martínez   22'
Susaeta   25', 81',   73'
Amorebieta   62'
San José   66'
Report   34' Zurutuza
  38' Bergara
  73' Vela
  77' Cadamuro-Bentaïba
  80' González
  84' Estrada
Stadium: San Mamés Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
10 March 2012 27 Real Sociedad 3–0 Real Zaragoza Donostia
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Agirretxe   19', 40'
Vela   22'
González   24'
Estrada   62'
Report   6'   84' Lanzaro
  64' Álvarez
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 23,550
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo
17 March 2012 28 Getafe 1–0 Real Sociedad Getafe
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Rafa   34'
Míchel   45'
Valera   80'
I. Martínez   81' (o.g.)
Castro   90'
Report   11' Bergara
  54' Griezmann
  90' Demidov
  90+2' Cadamuro-Bentaïba
Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: David Fernandez Borbalan
21 March 2012 29 Real Sociedad 1–3 Levante Donostia
20:00 CET (UTC+01) Vela   6'
Elustondo   28'   57'
Estrada   53'
González   90+1'
Report   12' (pen.),   85' Barkero
  41' Navarro
  45' Koné
  54' Farinós
  59' Botelho
  76' López
  77' Juanfran
  90+4' Torres
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 20,722
Referee: Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo
24 March 2012 30 Real Madrid 5–1 Real Sociedad Madrid
20:00 CET (UTC+01) Higuaín   6'
Ronaldo   33', 56'
Benzema   41', 49'
Alonso   45+1'
Report   23' I. Martínez
  38' González
  40' De la Bella
  42' Prieto
  85' Demidov
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Attendance: 76,000
Referee: Javier Turienzo Álvarez
1 April 2012 31 Real Sociedad 4–0 Rayo Vallecano Donostia
21:30 CET (UTC+01) Agirretxe   6'
Zurutuza   31'
Griezmann   51'
Vela   53'
Ansotegi   69'
Report   13' Diamanka
  65' Costa
  75' Casado
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero
7 April 2012 32 Espanyol 2–2 Real Sociedad Cornellà de Llobregat
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Rodríguez   20'
García   41'
Demidov   45+1' (o.g.)
Weiss   47',   90+4'
Moreno   87'
Report   12', 15' Vela
  32' Estrada
  57' Prieto
  68' De la Bella
  90+3' Bravo
Stadium: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: César Muñiz Fernández
10 April 2012 33 Real Sociedad 1–1 Real Betis Donostia
20:00 CET (UTC+01) Vela   56' Report   39' Cañas
  50',   70' Castro
  61' Chica
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
15 April 2012 34 Málaga 1–1 Real Sociedad Málaga
16:00 CET (UTC+01) Isco   19'
Mathijsen   89'
Demichelis   90+1'
Report   26'   45' González
  49' Prieto
Stadium: Estadio La Rosaleda
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: José Luis González González
22 April 2012 35 Real Sociedad 1–1 Villarreal Donostia
12:00 CET (UTC+01) Vela   86'
Estrada   57'
Demidov   64'
Elustondo   64'
Report   42' Senna
  23' Catalá
  70' Cani
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: David Fernandez Borbalan
28 April 2012 36 Real Sociedad 3–0 Racing Santander Donostia
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Griezmann   47', 70'
Agirretxe   83'
Ifrán   89'
Report Acosta   38'
Torrejón   49'
Adrián   70'
Munitis   74'
Álvaro   79'
Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández
2 May 2012 20 Atlético Madrid 1–1 Real Sociedad Madrid
18:00 CET (UTC+01) Suárez   23'
Gabi   54',   58'   73'
Falcao   83'
Report Zurutuza   50'
Vela   90+1'
Stadium: Vicente Calderón Stadium
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Ignacio Iglesias
5 May 2012 37 Osasuna 1–0 Real Sociedad Iruña
21:00 CET (UTC+01) Baldé   14'
García   27'
Bertrán   67'
Flaño   76'
Puñal   81'
Satrústegui   90'
Report Elustondo   39' Stadium: Reyno de Navarra
Attendance: 17,394
Referee: José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes
12 May 2012 38 Real Sociedad 1–0 Valencia Donostia
20:00 CET (UTC+01) Estrada   47'
Vela   53'
Griezmann   64'
Report Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero

King's cup edit

Round of 32 edit

13 December 2011 Round of 32 Real Sociedad 4–1 Granada Donostia
21:00 CET Griezmann   4'
Prieto   7', 63'
Ifrán   90'
(Report) Geijo   72' Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez
21 December 2011 Round of 32Granada2–1
(3–5 agg.)
Real Sociedad Granada
21:00 CET Siqueira   19' (pen.)
Geijo   66'
(Report) Agirretxe   83' Stadium: Nuevo Los Cármenes
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz

Round of 16 edit

4 January 2012 Round of 16 Real Sociedad 2–0 Mallorca Donostia
20:00 CET Aranburu   17'
Agirretxe   55'
(Report) Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
10 January 2012 Round of 16 Mallorca 6–1
(6–3 agg.)
Real SociedadPalma de Mallorca
20:00 CET Castro   34', 41'
Hemed   36', 59'
Nunes   38'
Alfaro   53'
(Report) Ifrán   16' Stadium: Iberostar Stadium
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez

External links edit

References edit