Technically, this is Real Madrid’s opening-round fixture, although the club’s La Liga campaign has already begun. Their scheduled first match was postponed because several players were still involved in the latter stages of the World Cup.

By the time Real Madrid meet Sociedad, both sides will have already completed two competitive games. Madrid’s latest outing came against Espanyol on Saturday, where they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory. José Mourinho’s second spell at the club got off to an exciting start: Jude Bellingham put Madrid ahead in the ninth minute, only for Alex Calatrava to level the score. With the game heading toward a draw, substitute Carlos Espi struck in the 90th minute to snatch all three points.

Despite the victory, Madrid still have plenty to improve. After a bright opening, their intensity gradually faded, while the attacking partnership of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior has yet to reach top gear. The situation is understandable, with several important players returning late from the World Cup and having limited preseason preparation.

The Sociedad fixture will therefore represent Mourinho’s first competitive home match since returning to Madrid. The Portuguese coach will be looking for greater defensive structure, better control, and fewer spaces for opponents to exploit. The schedule is already demanding, with this encounter coming during a run of three games in just eight days before Málaga visit the Bernabéu on August 30.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will see an opportunity to make life uncomfortable for the hosts. The Basque side can punish defensive gaps through possession and intelligent movement between the lines, particularly if Madrid’s physical condition is not yet at its best.

For Real Madrid, this is about more than simply collecting another three points. It is Mourinho’s first chance to lead the team in front of the home supporters this season, and expectations will be high after the narrow escape against Espanyol. Sociedad should provide a much sterner examination, forcing Madrid to rely on tactical discipline rather than individual brilliance or another late winner.

The match is scheduled for August 26 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with kickoff at 21:00 local time. Madrid remain the clear favorites on paper, but early-season home fixtures can often produce unexpected drama. Mourinho’s side now have the chance to show that the victory over Espanyol was the beginning of a genuine title push rather than simply a last-minute escape.

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