Real Sociedad aim for first European win vs a Belgian club

Real Sociedad arrive in Belgium this Thursday with a clear target: to end their European record against Belgian clubs, something they still haven’t managed in their history. The txuri urdin have faced sides from that country in three European meetings and have yet to win.

The most recent example is especially painful. In the 2024-25 season, Anderlecht stormed Anoeta after incidents involving Belgian ultras. Real started well, going ahead with a goal from Marín, but trouble in the stands forced a pause and threw the team off. Real conceded twice before halftime and were unable to come back, finishing 1-2.

Earlier, back in the 1980-81 UEFA Cup, the pattern repeated. In the third round, Real under Ormaetxea lost 1-0 away at Daknamstadion against Sporting Lokeren, and the 2-2 draw at Atotxa wasn’t enough to avoid elimination. Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Matarazzo’s side will try to settle that “debt” on their trip to Union Saint-Gilloise, led by Hubert.