Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey Dream Ends in Heartbreak Against Real Madrid
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal has described his team’s Copa del Rey semifinal exit as cruel and hard” after they fell to Real Madrid in a dramatic second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. The thrilling 4-4 draw on the night saw Madrid advance 5-4 on aggregate, thanks to a decisive Antonio Rüdiger goal in the 115th minute of extra time.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match Oyarzabal expressed his frustration over a crucial refereeing decision that led to Madrid’s third goal. The Real Sociedad players protested a perceived positional offside by Kylian Mbappé before the corner kick that resulted in Madrid’s goal.
I saw Mbappé offside as he interferes with the centre-back. I think it conditions Igor Zubeldia’s decision but the corner is later and this is the way it is, he explained.
Despite the controversy the captain acknowledged the strength and depth of Real Madrid’s squad highlighting the difficulty of competing against such a well-established team.
Despite the disappointing elimination Oyarzabal praised his team’s performance and resilience throughout the tournament. He emphasized the belief within the squad that they could overturn the deficit at the Bernabéu, a sentiment that showcased their progress in recent years.
We were confident that we could turn around the semifinal tie at the Santiago Bernabéu and that speaks well of what we have achieved in recent years.
Although their Copa del Rey journey ended in heartbreak the focus now shifts to La Liga where Sociedad aims to secure European qualification.
Now it’s time to focus on La Liga and get back into Europe which is our objective.
With the Copa del Rey campaign over Real Sociedad must now regroup and concentrate on securing a European spot through their league performances. Oyarzabal remains confident in the team’s ability to bounce back, insisting that their determination and belief remain strong.
The dramatic semifinal exit may be a tough pill to swallow but Real Sociedad’s impressive run in the tournament has proven their ability to compete with Spain’s best. Their sights are now firmly set on achieving success in La Liga as they look to return to European football next season.