GROUP A – Tuesday 17th September 2013

REAL SOCIEDAD 0-2 SHAKHTAR DONETSK

La Liga side Real Sociedad were surprised 2-0 tonight by Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk at Anoeta despite being in control of possession for the majority of the game.

The Spaniards dominated proceedings early on as the visitors struggled to win the ball back and La Real began to create several chances. After just three minutes, French wideman Antoine Griezmann had the first opportunity as Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov had pulled off a good stop as Griezmann he blasted the shot towards the goal, and Yaroslav Rakitskiy cleared to safety.

Midway through the first period, the Ukrainians began to control the ball and settled into possession outside the box. However, La Real’s defense did well to stomp out any chances leaving the visitors with little to show for their efforts.

After missed chances by Carlos Vela and Xabi Prieto, it became clear that Sociedad would continue to dominate the match, but Shakhtar did well to make sure the Basques were unable to find their deserved goal.

After half an hour, the game began to open up with both teams trading possession with box-to-box play but neither club was able to find an opening goal. Sociedad had two more chances before the break with Pardo beating the wall but not the keeper before Griezmann had his third chance of the first half.

The second half picked up right where the first 45 minutes had left off with La Real remaining in control but Shakhtar continued to do well to protect the goal. Just past the hour mark, Swiss forward Haris Seferović was able to beat Croatian veteran defender Darijo Srna to get a wonderful chance on goal. However, Pyatov was able to make the save which immediately led to a chance for the visitors.

The deadlock was finally broken on 65 minutes. Brazilian playmaker Alex Teixeira was finally able to open up the scoring to give Donetsk the lead after a wonderful assist from Srna, the goal was met with huge groans from the Anoeta faithful.

Shakhtar then looked to hold the results as midfielder Taras Stepanenkowas replaced Tomáš Hübschman. However, La Real surged forward in the hunt for an equalizer as Imanol Agirretxe made his return from injury coming on for Seferović.

Sociedad looked more likely to score when they were dealt hit with a suckerpunch. Teixeria doubled the lead in the 87th minute. The pain was visible around the Sociedad stadium as the statistics will show that the hosts deserved much more on the night, but failed miserably in front of goal.