Racing Santander 0 - Real Sociedad 1

Racing: Ricardo; Coromina, Moratón, Juanma, Neru; Nafti, Matabuena (Diego Mateo 70'); Pablo Lago (Morán 60'), Benayoun, Regueiro (Bodipo 52'); Javi Guerrero. 4-3-2-1.
Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Karpin, Alkiza, Aranburu, Gabilondo (Potillón 78'); Kovacevic (Lee Chun Soo 83'), De Paula (Mikel Alonso 76'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Racing: Benayoun, Regueiro for Txiki, Bodipo / Real: Kvarme, Alkiza, Gabilondo, De Paula for Jauregi, Xabi Alonso, Lee Chun Soo, De Pedro.

Goals:
0-1. 31. De Paula. Headed Kovacevic cross into top corner of net.

Real Sociedad recorded their first win of the season after beating Racing Santander 0-1. With one eye on the upcoming Champions League game, manager Reynald Denoueix rested several key players, including Xabi Alonso, De Pedro and Lee Chun Soo, all of whom were nursing knocks, and Nihat, still not recovered from a pre-season injury. That gave a chance to transfer listed De Paula, who took advantage to score the only goal of the match with a powerful header from Kovacevic's cross on the half hour mark.

Up to that point neither side had troubled the two keepers, with Nafti shooting wide from an early free kick from the homs side and Ricardo ably cutting out any danger from the visitors. Kovacevic had a chance to increase the lead but was well tackled by Neru, and at the other end the ever-active Regueiro shot just wide and Benayoun also failed to find the target. The game died again in the second half though, and the only point of interest was an injury to referee Moreno Delgado. Real Sociedad were happy with the result though, which sets them up for the visit of Olympiakos next Wednesday.