AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth completed their pre-season games programme with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Europa League-bound Real Sociedad at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Goals either side of half-time from Spain international Mikel Merino and Igor Zubeldia saw the La Liga outfit triumph, with Junior Stanislas replying for the Cherries late on.
Alex Remiro was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, the 27-year-old blocking two efforts from Dom Solanke and smothering a Jaidon Anthony strike.
The contest gave Scott Parker’s team a good workout ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa on 6th August.
In the early stages, Lewis Cook’s challenge on Martin Zubimendi on the edge of the box almost set up an opening for the Cherries but Sociedad goalkeeper Remiro came off his line to avert the danger.
The first shooting opportunity fell to Brais Mendez but Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers saved comfortably from the Spain international.
Adam Smith’s timely interception prevented Robin Le Normand from converting following a slick move from the visitors.
However, there was no reprieve when former Newcastle midfielder Merino drew first blood for Sociedad in the ninth minute.
The 26-year-old, capped nine times by Spain, swept home a low cross from the left by Carlos Fernandez, giving Travers no chance.
As the Cherries went in search of an immediate response, Solanke headed wide from an Anthony corner.
The same combination fashioned the hosts’ first opportunity, Anthony seeing his effort saved by Remiro following a neat one-two with Solanke which split their defence.
Referee Michael Salisbury waved away Cherries’ claims for a penalty after Anthony had gone to ground under a challenge by Zubeldia.
Travers was on hand to pouch Zubimendi’s effort after he had been picked out at the far post by Mendez’s free-kick midway through the first half.
Remiro saved bravely at his near post from Solanke after the Cherries striker had been put through by a defence-slipping pass from Cook in the 33rd minute.
James Hill did well to cut out a pass from Mohamed-Ali Cho which had been intended for Fernandez, the young defender acquitting himself well against a slick outfit.
Cook’s tenacity in winning back possession set up a chance for Solanke but after the frontman had taken aim, his thunderous effort was beaten away by Remiro.
As an entertaining first half drew to a close, referee Salisbury turned down a second penalty appeal after Jordan Zemura had taken a tumble under a challenge from Zubimendi.
Andoni Gorosabel’s deflected cross deceived Travers at the start of the second half but the ball was eventually gathered and played out from the back.
Sociedad doubled their lead when Zubeldia arrived to prod Mendez’s venomous free-kick past Travers in the 56th minute.
Immediately after the goal, Phil Billing and Kieffer Moore replaced Cook and Anthony before Sociedad made a raft of changes, including former Cherries defender Diego Rico.
Owen Bevan, elevated to the development squad following a stellar season with the under-18s, replaced Hill midway through the second half.
Travers pulled off a top drawer save to keep out Ander Barrenetxea’s stinging drive after Rico had teed up his teammate with a slide-rule pass.
Jack Stacey was in the right place to block Takefusa Kubo’s thumping drive before Rico volleyed high into the Ted MacDougall Stand.
Stanislas halved the arrears nine minutes from time following good work in the lead up involving Jefferson Lerma and Moore.
Lerma won possession from Kubo before picking out Moore with a forward pass, the striker releasing Stanislas who applied a composed finish with his left foot.
AFC Bournemouth: Travers, Smith (Stacey, 74), Mepham, Hill (Bevan, 67), Kelly, Zemura, Cook (Billing, 57), Lerma, Christie (Stanislas, 74), Solanke, Anthony (Moore, 57).
Unused sub: Dennis (g/k).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Zubimendi (Guevara, h/t), Illarramendi (Turrientes, 39, Olasagasti, 63), Zubeldia (Sola, 63), Merino (Elustondo, 63), Fernandez (Barrenetxea, 63), Cho (Navarro, 39, Karrikaburu, 63), Munoz (Kubo, 63), Gorosabel (Rico, 63), Mendez (Pacheco, 63), Le Normand (Martin, 63).
Unused sub: Zubiaurre (g/k).
Referee: Michael Salisbury.
