LaLiga Santander is becoming more and more attractive. After the first third of the competition, Real Madrid (1st) and Atlético de Madrid (4th) are only separated by four points. And, among them, there are Sevilla FC (3rd) and Real Sociedad (2nd) that remains determined to be the revelation of the season with the permission of Real Betis (5th) and Rayo Vallecano (6th), on the lookout for any oversight of Imanol Aguacil’s team. More emotion, impossible.
Real Sociedad has become one of the most effective teams of the season, especially in the second half, in which Imanol Alguacil’s boys usually come out revitalized. They generate many chances, score and win. It seems simple, but it is not at all. Because if we look back, the golden years of the club had been in the eighties, when the San Sebastian team managed to win the championship in two consecutive seasons (1980-1981 and 1981-1982).
There were also difficult moments, like the three-year period in which they were in the second category. All that seems forgotten and the Txuri-Urdin team is the absolute revelation of this first third of the season, holding its own against an increasingly solid Real Madrid.
The Alguacil team once again shows off all the competitive pride of the old days. In fact, in the first third of LaLiga Santander they have managed to exercise leadership in the table. All of this is the fruit of a decade of work well done, of maturation on the field based on perseverance that has been endorsed by the warm response of the club’s followers, many of them very young, who finally return to fill the Reale Arena.
The stadium has become a pressure cooker, something that the players and rivals know. Cristina Dorado, a young Real Sociedad fan, does not remember the same start to the season. “I know that I am experiencing a unique moment for the team because these numbers had only been achieved on two previous occasions in the history of Real Sociedad.”
Although Real are now in second position, the fans do not lose faith in regaining the lead and, above all, they do not plan to forget the effort the team has made to date throughout the season. “We have won victories, scored incredible goals and made the Reale Arena vibrate in an unprecedented way. We will continue to support the team, they deserve it, but what has been achieved is already an incredible milestone,” adds Cristina proudly. It is not for less.
The same can be said about Real Betis. The club has managed to sign this season, with Manuel Pellegrini on the bench, its best start to the league in almost a decade. Their last three victories confirm that the green and white team are in great shape. And, as is normal, the fans celebrate that their team has regained the competitive pulse and the confidence to go head to head with any rival, even the greatest.
Juan De Dios Álvarez Sánchez, president of the Real Betis Supporters Federation, assures that the fans are very satisfied with the performance of the team and coach: “We are in a good sporting moment, occupying fifth position and with the possibility of moving to the next European round”.
Among the reasons for joy is also the return of the public to the field. For Juande – as he is known – “the fans are the true sauce of football. The passion for colors is what lifts the team up in bad times. Furthermore, Real Betis fans are those who do not hesitate to travel to cheer on the team. For this reason, there is no stadium that does not have a Betic infantry behind it.”
And the fact is that the approval of 100% of the capacity was, for this supporter, something tremendously important: “It hurt to see how every week there were members who were left without being able to watch the game. Our stadium has capacity for 60,000 people, but, with 50,000 members, it was impossible for everyone to enter with limited capacity. Now, finally, the time has come for any fan who wants to be able to enjoy the good time we are experiencing.”
Rayo Vallecano, led by Andoni Iraola, is showing, match after match, that in its return to LaLiga Santander it wants to be the protagonist. And he intends not only to establish himself in the football elite of our country but also to leave his mark. So far they have delivered, remaining undefeated at home, with six wins and a single draw since the tournament started.
Its fans, who have always stood out for their unconditionalism and enthusiasm, maintain all hopes that the team will maintain the good form it has shown so far. The proof is found in their social networks where fans push them game by game. “Come on Rayito, let’s fight so that those 3 points stay in Vallecas,” said a fan on Twitter before the game against RCD Mallorca. No sooner said than done. Victory for a Rayo Vallecano that dreams of getting closer and closer to the positions that give access to the UEFA Champions League. An impossible dream? Not at all.
Another that is still at the top of the table and at the gates of Europe is CA Osasuna (9th), which has had one of the best starts in its history. The Pamplona team, which celebrated its centenary in 2020 and recently received the Gold Medal awarded by the Government of Navarra, seems willing to entertain its fans with vertical and cohesive football.
Those from Arrasate have very clear ideas and are withstanding the onslaught of two true all-rounders such as FC Barcelona (7th) and Athletic Club (8th). CA Osasuna seems determined to have one of the best seasons in recent years.
The sweet moment of Real Sociedad, Real Betis or Rayo Vallecano only certifies that this LaLiga Santander is one of the most competitive of the major European leagues. Each match that passes shows us that the competitive level of the clubs is so high that nothing can be taken for granted, which adds interest to each match in particular and to the season in general.
