Coming into the latest edition of the Basque Derby, both Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad had endured a dry spell of form.
After winning eight of nine games through late November, Sociedad drew six consecutive games before losing its next three. Having spent time at the top of the table this season, La Real's poor run saw it drop down to third. Athletic, on the other hand, has experienced inconsistency all season. Traditionally the more successful of the Basque giants, it now sits 12th in the table.
The rivals have still yet to play out the Copa del Rey final, which promised to be a groundbreaking event in the world of Spanish football. They have never met in a cup final before, and each side earned a hard-fought berth in the final. Athletic slipped past Barcelona thanks to a stoppage-time winner, while Real Sociedad did the same to Real Madrid after a gunfight of a game that ended 4-3. Covid-19 has continuously delayed the final, which is now set for April.
In the latest edition of the derby on Thursday, La Real took just five minutes to open the scoring thanks to Portu. The winger capped off a lovely team move from a counterattack to score what turned out to be the winning goal.
GOAL FOR REAL SOCIEDAD!
The visitors take an early lead in the Basque derby as Cristian Portu goes on target to score.#AthleticRealSociedad LIVE NOW
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/4AfUrMpl77— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 31, 2020
Sociedad is now six points off leader Atlético Madrid, but having played three more games.
