It was hard for UD Las Palmas to approach the game against Real Sociedad following their last negative result in Valencia against Levante, which left them staring relegation in the face. The team tried to get the extra motivation needed to earn the three points in the Estadio Gran Canaria, to at least soften the blow. But once again it wasn’t to be. Las Palmas lost out once more and as the season goes on they are ever nearer to the second division.
Paco Jémez said before the match that he wouldn’t be making many changes, and so it was. Ximo Navarro was back from his ban, taking the place of Gálvez. Ezekiel was also given an attacking role, alongside former youth player Erik Expósito. Tana was also back in the starting line-up.
Real Sociedad started by passing the ball around confidently, and before the first ten minutes were up home goalkeeper Chichizola was called into action, diving twice to keep the visitors at bay. Las Palmas were unable to settle down, and duly went a goal behind in the 21st minute. Oyarzábal ran through on his own and tucked the ball away with a left footed effort.
The home defence left many gaps at the back, which Real Sociedad took advantage of to create a series of chances, through Januzaj, Canales, Oyarzábal and Willian José. Chichizola responded with fine saves on each occasion to keep his team in the match during the first half. Half time came with a 0-1 and Real clearly on top in terms of possession and chances. .
In the second half, Las Palmas came out with a little more assertiveness. Within a few minutes of the restart, Paco Jémez took off defender Aguirregaray, bringing on striker Jonathan Calleri. Real Sociedad meanwhile continued to create more clear-cut chances, and Chichizola blocking every one of them. In the 63rd minute, Halilovic put in a fine cross that Calleri headed over the crossbar. Another header by the same player in the 80th minute skimmed the crossbar. Las Palmas were taking risks in defence, but Real were unable to finish them off. Captain David Garcia had another header in Las Palmas’ last chance to equalise, but he also headed unluckily over. The final score was 0-1, meaning another disappointing defeat for the yellows.
