Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are all set to host Real Sociedad in the final fixture of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign. Real Madrid will look to finish the season on a high with a win over Real Sociedad in what will be Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric’s final outing at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Italian manager and the Croatian midfielder are set to leave the club at the end of the season, and everyone involved will try to ensure they get the perfect farewell.
The home team is certain to finish second on the points table irrespective of the result in this fixture, as they have 81 points from their 37 outings. Los Blancos are eight points clear of the team in third. The defeat to Barcelona in the Clasico ended their title hopes, but following that, they have won their last two outings and will be hoping to make it three in a row against Sociedad.
The visitors haven’t been at their best this season. They are currently 11th on the points table with just 46 points from their 37 outings. They will be hoping to break into the top ten with another win, but it certainly won’t be easy. Prior to their win over Girona last time out, Sociedad had failed to win any of their last six league fixtures. While the win in their previous match will give them much-needed confidence, they will have to punch above their weight to take down the team in white.
The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham, who picked up a yellow card last time out, is suspended from Ancelotti’s farewell match. Meanwhile, the Italian remains without the services of Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal. Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo will all be assessed ahead of the fixture. Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric are both expected to start in their final match at the Bernabeu.
Andriy Lunin may continue in goal as the white team lines up in a 4-4-2 configuration. Raul Asensio and Aurélien Tchouaméni should start in the middle of the defense, with Vazquez and Fran Garcia as the full-backs. Federico Valverde will play a more central role with Luka Modric, while Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos may play out wide on the midfield flanks. Endrick and Kylian Mbappe might start together again in the last third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2):
Lunin; Vazquez, Asensio, Tchouameni, F Garcia; Guler, Valverde, Modric, Ceballos; Endrick, Mbappe
Real Sociedad
The visitors might be without Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker, and Orri Oskarsson as all three are major doubts for this fixture due to injury. Meanwhile, they do have a boost as Aihen Munoz is back after serving a suspension. Sociedad will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Hamari Traoré and Aihen Munoz will be the full-backs, while Aritz Elustondo will partner with Igor Zubeldia in the heart of the defense.
In the center of the park, Martin Zubimendi will partner with Pablo Marin. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they do not let Madrid midfielders dominate the proceedings. Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea will feature on the flanks, looking to provide much-needed width to their attacks. Brais Mendez will take up the number ten role with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Munoz; Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo, Mendez, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal
Key Stats
– Real Sociedad brought an end to their six-match winless run against Girona last time out.
– Imanol Alguacil’s team has suffered defeat in nine out of their 18 away league games this season.
– Real Madrid has won each of their last three league games against Sociedad.
– The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended 2-0 in favor of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
– Sociedad’s last visit to the Bernabeu ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe had a slow start to life in Madrid. The French international wasn’t really at his best in the initial weeks and faced criticism for his performances. However, the 26-year-old has certainly turned things around and is set to finish as the top scorer in the league, having found the back of the net on 29 occasions in his debut campaign. Overall, he has been involved in 54 matches across competitions and contributed to 44 goals (40 goals, 4 assists). Given his current form, the French skipper will certainly have a significant impact on the outcome of this fixture.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid is expected to give it everything to secure a win against Real Sociedad. With Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric bidding farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu, the atmosphere will be emotional yet electric, and the players will be determined to give them a fitting send-off. Despite a few injury setbacks and Bellingham’s suspension, the hosts have more than enough quality to get the job done. Meanwhile, Sociedad will have to build on their recent win if they hope to challenge for a positive result.
