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. Position Player
1 GK Claudio Bravo
2 DF Carlos Martínez
3 DF Mikel González
4 MF Gorka Elustondo
5 MF Markel Bergara
7 MF Antoine Griezmann
8 FW Joseba Llorente
9 FW Imanol Agirretxe
10 MF Xabier Prieto
11 MF Mikel Aranburu (captain)
13 GK Eñaut Zubikarai
14 MF Jeffrey Sarpong
15 DF Ion Ansotegi
No. Position Player
16 DF Vadim Demidov
17 MF David Zurutuza
18 MF McDonald Mariga
19 MF Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaïba
20 MF Asier Illarramendi
21 FW Diego Ifrán
22 DF Dani Estrada
23 FW Carlos Vela
24 DF Alberto de la Bella
25 GK Toño Ramírez
26 DF Iñigo Martínez
27 MF 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 FriendlyBeasain 0 – 3Real SociedadBeasain
18:00 CET (Report)  14' Ifrán
 58', 74' Agirretxe		 Stadium: Loinaz Stadium
Referee: Andoni Labaka
23 July 2011 FriendlyReal Sociedad4 – 0 AjaccioAzpeitia, Spain
18:00 CEST Labaka  38'
Agirretxe  45' (pen.)
Sutil  66', 89' (pen.)		 (Report) Stadium: Garmendipe
Referee: Pérez Lasa
30 July 2011 FriendlyToulouse 1 – 0Real SociedadDax, Landes, France
19:00 CEST Tabanou  71'
Fofana  60'		 (Report)  70' Cadamuro-Bentaïba Stadium: Stade Maurice Boyau
Referee: Dos Santos
7 August 2011 FriendlyPescara 2 – 2Real SociedadPescara, Italy
20:45 CEST Insigne  6'
Soddimo  68'		 (Report)  9' Zurutuza
 76' Sarpong		 Stadium: Stadio Adriatico
Referee: Danilo Giannocaro
9 August 2011 FriendlyA.S. Bari 1 – 0Real SociedadVerona, Italy
17:30 CEST Marotta  70'
Borghese  80'		 (Report) Llorente  80' Stadium: Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi
Referee: Guida de Torrenunziata
11 August 2011 FriendlyLazio 2 – 0Real SociedadRome, Italy
21:00 CEST Cissé  3'
Sculli  70'
Hernanes  84'
Kozák  86'		 (report)  77' Illarramendi Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Referee: Luca Banti
13 August 2011 FriendlyCatania 1 – 2Real SociedadCatania
--:-- 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 2Sporting Gijón1–2Real SociedadGijón
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 3Real Sociedad2–2BarcelonaDonostia
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 4Sevilla1–0Real SociedadSeville
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 5Real Sociedad1–0GranadaDonostia
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 6Mallorca2–1Real SociedadPalma, 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 7Real Sociedad1–2Athletic BilbaoDonostia
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 8Real Zaragoza2–0Real SociedadZaragoza
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 9Real Sociedad0–0GetafeDonostia
16:00 CEST (UTC+02) Ifrán  23'
Zurutuza  83'		 (Report)  60' Torres Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández
26 October 2011 10Levante3–2Real SociedadValencia, 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 11Real Sociedad0–1Real MadridDonostia
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 12Rayo Vallecano4–0Real SociedadVallecas
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 13Real Sociedad0–0EspanyolDonostia
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 14Real Betis2–3Real SociedadSeville
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 15Real Sociedad3–2MálagaDonostia
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 16Villarreal1–1Real SociedadVillarreal
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 17Racing Santander0–0Real SociedadSantander
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 18Real Sociedad0–0OsasunaDonostia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02) (Report)  21' Puñal
 69' Satrustegi		 Stadium: Anoeta
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
14 January 2012 19Valencia0–1Real SociedadValencia
22:00 CEST (UTC+02) Alba  54' (Report)  56' Griezmann Stadium: Mestalla
21 January 2012 1Real Sociedad0–4Atlético MadridDonostia
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 21Real Sociedad5 – 1Sporting GijónDonostia
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 22Barcelona2 – 1Real SociedadBarcelona
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 23Real Sociedad2 – 0SevillaDonostia
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 24Granada4 – 1Real SociedadGranada
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 25Real Sociedad1 – 0MallorcaDonostia
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 26Athletic Bilbao2 – 0Real SociedadBilbao
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 27Real Sociedad3 – 0Real ZaragozaDonostia
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 28Getafe1 – 0Real SociedadGetafe
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 29Real Sociedad1 – 3LevanteDonostia
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 30Real Madrid5 – 1Real SociedadMadrid
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 31Real Sociedad4 – 0Rayo VallecanoDonostia
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 32Espanyol2 – 2Real SociedadCornellà 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 33Real Sociedad1 – 1Real BetisDonostia
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 34Málaga1 – 1Real SociedadMálaga
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 35Real Sociedad1 – 1VillarrealDonostia
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 36Real Sociedad3 – 0Racing SantanderDonostia
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 20Atlético Madrid1 – 1Real SociedadMadrid
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 37Osasuna1 – 0Real SociedadIruña
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 38Real Sociedad1 – 0ValenciaDonostia
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 32Real Sociedad4 – 1GranadaDonostia
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 SociedadGranada
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 16Real Sociedad2 – 0MallorcaDonostia
20:00 CET Aranburu  17'
Agirretxe  55'		 (Report) Stadium: Anoeta
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
10 January 2012 Round of 16Mallorca6 – 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
  1. NIKE VESTIRÁ A LA REAL SOCIEDAD (Nike will dress Real Sociedad) Realsociedad.com 5 March 2011
  2. Squad numbers announced; Realsociedad.com
  3. Rescinding Lasarte's contract will cost €50,000; Diariovasco.com
  4. Montanier named Real Sociedad boss ; ESPN Soccernet, 4 June 2011
  5. Tamudo, already a Rayo vallecano player Archived 10 September 2012 at Archive.today ; Rayovallecano.es
  6. Iñigo Sarasola has his contract rescinded ; El Diario Vasco
  7. Iosu Esnaola and Alvaro peña, new Noja players ; Sdnoja.es
  8. Iosu Esnaola's contract expires ; Realsociedad.com
  9. Paco Sutil has contract rescinded ; Realsociedad.com
  10. Alex Albistegi has contract rescinded ; Realsociedad.com
  11. Mikel Labaka, new Rayo vallecano player Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine ; Rayovallecano.es
  12. Gimnastica Tarragona and Real Sociedad reach agreement on Viguera loan ; Realsociedad.com
  13. NAC Breda snatch Jeffrey Sarpong on loan ; Ghana Soccernet
  14. Vela and Botelho go on loan to Spain Archived 23 March 2012 at WebCite ; Arsenal.com
  15. Carlos Vela loan deal agreed ; Realsociedad.com
  16. Spain's Sociedad agree to take Kenya's Mariga on loan ; BBC Online
  17. Mariga prêté à Parme (off.); France Football 31 January 2012
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