Everything indicated that Robert Navarro, an outlaw in these parts for his way of leaving Real Sociedad on the way to Bilbao, was going to become the protagonist of the Anoeta derby with that goal in the 79th minute. He was destined to become the absolute protagonist of the duel in Donostia, but nothing could be further from the truth. The place for glory was reserved for . One of those footballers who had had to pack his bags to become a footballer away from home. On his return to the capital of Gipuzkoa, Jon Gorrotxategi has not had it easy at all. Quite the opposite. The critics have not taken pity on him, but one of the footballers with the most projection within the blue and white institution, against Athletic Club, has vindicated himself in the best possible way. A goal worth three points.
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Goals 1-0 min. 38: Brais. 1-1 min. 42: Cross. 2-1 min. 46: Gonçalo Guedes. 2-2 min. 79: Robert Navarro. 3-2 min. 92: Jon Gorrotxategi.
Arbitrator José Luis Munuera Montero
yellow cards Ruiz de Galarreta (min. 65), Jon Gorrotxategi (min. 77), Yuri (min. 95) and O. Sancet (min. 98)
But Gorrotxategi has not been the only footballer who has claimed his place. No. There have been several, starting with Brais Méndez and continuing with Gonzalo Guedes. If there has been a Real Sociedad footballer criticized at this start of the season, it has been none other than Mos. It even seemed that his future was very far from Donostia. An offer from Saudi football seemed to mean the end of the story of a footballer whose performance in the blue and white team since his arrival in July 2022 has been beyond doubt. It’s more. His data says that he is one of the best signings in the recent history of the blue and white institution. Never have 15 million euros been so cheap in the hiring of an exemplary footballer since his arrival, becoming essential in that midfield longed for by all realists along with Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, without forgetting the longed for David Silva.
Brais, pure class, left his native Vigo to become a fundamental piece in Imanol Alguacil’s scheme. It seemed that his goodbye had arrived, but he has appeared at the best possible moment to be one of the architects of Real Sociedad’s victory in one of the most important games of the season. The derby always is. His role has proven vital. First, for the goal that opened the scoring in Anoeta and, second, to fundamentally assist Guedes so that he could debut his career as a blue and white scorer.
It is not being Society or for Athletic Club. There were many doubts that were sown by each other. Plus Sergio Francisco’s team, flirting with the relegation spots. In fact, his position has been very much in question. Imanol Alguacil’s shadow is long. Much more than the new tenant of the blue and white bench would have liked. But, little by little, a more complicated situation begins to reverse. Victory in the derby always helps.
They say that joy does not last long in the poor’s house. And that is what happened to Real Sociedad. He did the hardest thing. Get ahead, but you could barely enjoy it. Brais Méndez, one of those players marked at the start of this Real’s season, made Anoeta explode with joy with his first goal of the season. The derby was turning upside down. Four minutes later, Guruzeta tied the score at one. A defensive mistake by the blue and white defense after an innocent foul by Sergio Gómez on Berenguer ended with the ball inside Remiro’s goal. Gorka Guruzeta, Athletic’s goal man in the absence of Nico, Maroan, Iñaki and Sancet, put the score on the scoreboard, but it was a mirage, because Athletic never felt comfortable on the Anoeta green.
Nor was it with Navarro’s 2-2 with ten minutes remaining. The derby had a place in history reserved for a footballer called to mark an era in Real Sociedad. On his return home, Jon Gorrotxategi has already left his mark.
