FM21 Real Sociedad tactic and team guide. Club culture and board requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential transfers.
Football Manager 2021 Real Sociedad tactic and team guide. Club culture and
board requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential
transfers in FM21.
About the club
Sociedad are a professional football club that ply their trade in the La Liga. Sociedad was founded in 1909 and have played all their home matches at the Anoeta stadium. Sociedad have won the La Liga title twice and finished runner up in 2002-2003.
Sociedad and Bilbao play the Basque derby and just like Bilbao, Sociedad had a
Basque player policy until not very long ago. Although Sociedad still have a
strong Basque contingent they have relaxed this with many of their new
signings.
Sociedad have produced some excellent footballers through the years, most
notably Xabi Alonso & Antoine Griezmann and have a youth recruitment that
concentrates on signing the best young Basque players.
Sociedad finished a respectable 6th in the 2019-2020 La Liga season and have qualified for the Europa League as a result. The board requirements once you take over will be;
1. A top 6 league finish (automatic qualification to the Europa League)
2. Reach the semi-final of the Europa League.
3. Reach the final of the Spanish Cup.
Additionally you will be expected to develop players using the club’s youth system, sign players based in Spain and a preference given to Basque players.
Sociedad have decent training and youth facilities which needs improving, however, they do have very good youth recruitment and find the best Basque players every year.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
Sociedad usually employ a good passing system and patiently wait for the chance to attack. However, they also have the ability to hit teams on the counter when needed. A vertical tiki-taka is the best tactic to go with for Sociedad.
A 4-2-3-1 is how Sevilla line-up in real life and is probably the best-suited formation to the available squad of players. The formation will also work when playing on the counter-attacks where the central midfielders will become more defensive and compact.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows;
Alex Remiro as the sweeper-keeper
Robin Le Normand & Artiz Elustondo as the 2 central defenders. Both are comfortable on the ball and can be played as ball-playing defenders.
Joseba Zaldua & Nacho Monreal as the 2 supporting fullbacks. They need to have increased crossing instructions.
Igor Zubeldia as a Ball Winning Midfielder & Mikel Merino as a box to box midfielder.
David Silva in a No10 role as an Advanced Playmaker.
Mikel Oyarzabal & Adnan Janujaz as the 2 wide players. The former is to be played as an Inside Forward and the latter as an inverted winger.
Willian Jose as the lone striker in an Advanced Forward role.
Even though you need not tinker with the formation much there is the option of using players like Asier Illarimendi and Porto who can be good game changers and give an option of playing a 3 man midfield.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Tactics
The talismanic attacking midfielder is one of the best creative players in the league. He will be instrumental in creating chances for the team.
The Spanish international is the best player at the club and is a leader on the pitch. His performances will largely help shape your season.
The box to box midfielder is a bundle of energy in the middle of the park and will provide tireless support throughout the season.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
1. The defence is a concerning area for Sociedad The quality of the backup Central defenders is definitely not up to standard and could see a lot of goals conceded if any injuries occur.
2. The quality of backups is not up to standard and injuries could be a huge setback for the team.
3. You will be helpless if bigger clubs want to poach away your talent and could leave you with gaping holes in the squad.
Sociedad’s defence needs serious bolstering. There could also be an additional attacking threat that the club could do with. Some of the names that could help are,
· Inigo Martinez
· Inaki Williams
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Luca Sangalli
· Miguel Angel Moya
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks or on loan who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
Isak is an excellent wonderkid striker in the game and is already good enough to be starting a lot of games for Sociedad. He will only improve with age and can be one of the leading players of the side.
The young winger is already on the cusp of first-team opportunities and develops into one of the best players in the club given the right opportunities.
Currently playing for Sociedad u19s, the attacking midfielder has the potential to be one of the best Basque players in the game.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
To Summarize, Sociedad are a good club to manage for most FM21 Managers. However, their limitations may be a step too far for many. Can you take over Sociedad and bring success to the club once again?
Board Requirements
Sociedad finished a respectable 6th in the 2019-2020 La Liga season and have qualified for the Europa League as a result. The board requirements once you take over will be;
1. A top 6 league finish (automatic qualification to the Europa League)
2. Reach the semi-final of the Europa League.
3. Reach the final of the Spanish Cup.
Additionally you will be expected to develop players using the club’s youth system, sign players based in Spain and a preference given to Basque players.
Sociedad have decent training and youth facilities which needs improving, however, they do have very good youth recruitment and find the best Basque players every year.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
Sociedad usually employ a good passing system and patiently wait for the chance to attack. However, they also have the ability to hit teams on the counter when needed. A vertical tiki-taka is the best tactic to go with for Sociedad.
A 4-2-3-1 is how Sevilla line-up in real life and is probably the best-suited formation to the available squad of players. The formation will also work when playing on the counter-attacks where the central midfielders will become more defensive and compact.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows;
Alex Remiro as the sweeper-keeper
Robin Le Normand & Artiz Elustondo as the 2 central defenders. Both are comfortable on the ball and can be played as ball-playing defenders.
Joseba Zaldua & Nacho Monreal as the 2 supporting fullbacks. They need to have increased crossing instructions.
Igor Zubeldia as a Ball Winning Midfielder & Mikel Merino as a box to box midfielder.
David Silva in a No10 role as an Advanced Playmaker.
Mikel Oyarzabal & Adnan Janujaz as the 2 wide players. The former is to be played as an Inside Forward and the latter as an inverted winger.
Willian Jose as the lone striker in an Advanced Forward role.
Even though you need not tinker with the formation much there is the option of using players like Asier Illarimendi and Porto who can be good game changers and give an option of playing a 3 man midfield.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Tactics
Key Players
1. David Silva
The talismanic attacking midfielder is one of the best creative players in the league. He will be instrumental in creating chances for the team.
2. Mikel Oyarzabal
The Spanish international is the best player at the club and is a leader on the pitch. His performances will largely help shape your season.
3. Mikel Merino
The box to box midfielder is a bundle of energy in the middle of the park and will provide tireless support throughout the season.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
Weaknesses
1. The defence is a concerning area for Sociedad The quality of the backup Central defenders is definitely not up to standard and could see a lot of goals conceded if any injuries occur.
2. The quality of backups is not up to standard and injuries could be a huge setback for the team.
3. You will be helpless if bigger clubs want to poach away your talent and could leave you with gaping holes in the squad.
Potential Transfers (in)
Sociedad’s defence needs serious bolstering. There could also be an additional attacking threat that the club could do with. Some of the names that could help are,
· Inigo Martinez
· Inaki Williams
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Luca Sangalli
· Miguel Angel Moya
Youth Prospects
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks or on loan who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
1. Alexander Isak
Isak is an excellent wonderkid striker in the game and is already good enough to be starting a lot of games for Sociedad. He will only improve with age and can be one of the leading players of the side.
2. Ander Barrenetxea
The young winger is already on the cusp of first-team opportunities and develops into one of the best players in the club given the right opportunities.
3. Robert Navarro
Currently playing for Sociedad u19s, the attacking midfielder has the potential to be one of the best Basque players in the game.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
Summary
To Summarize, Sociedad are a good club to manage for most FM21 Managers. However, their limitations may be a step too far for many. Can you take over Sociedad and bring success to the club once again?
