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

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

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

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

Squad information

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

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

Goalkeepers

Transfers

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

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

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

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

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

Loan end

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

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

  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'
Juanfrán  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' Juanfrán
 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

Round of 32

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

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

References

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