Real turn to Maisano and Toprak to improve their set pieces

Real have taken a step forward on set pieces, with Maisano and Toprak in charge. Last Sunday against Deportivo, Real Sociedad opened the scoring through a Jon Martín header, finishing a corner routine played short between Soler and Guedes. After the short pass, Soler’s delivery to the far post found the defender arriving unmarked. The rehearsed move worked: Jon Martín scored his first goal of the season and his third headed goal for Real Sociedad.

The goal is part of broader progress. According to data expert Chiquidatos, Real have gone from being among the least effective teams at certain points last season, in both attack and defence, to currently having the best goal difference in these situations. Their +3 puts them top of the LaLiga ranking, ahead of Real Madrid, Betis, Athletic, Rayo and Málaga, all on +1.

Earlier, Barrenetxea scored the winning goal in Valencia after a routine that was also played short. The other goal mentioned in this sequence was Ochieng’s in Elche, following a rebound and then a corner pass from Soler.

The change in approach has come with a reshuffle of responsibilities: José Rodríguez, the set-piece specialist recruited last season, left his role. John Maisano, an assistant to Matarazzo, now oversees the attacking side, while third assistant Omer Toprak handles the defensive work.