Japanese soccer's unimaginable fall of the super-emergency ace, and the relegation zone's collapse is only one goal in serious slump

Sep 29, 2025

Japanese soccer's unimaginable fall of the super-emergency ace, and the relegation zone's collapse is only one goal in serious slump
Sportschosun DB



Kubo Takefusa's future is very ominous at the beginning of the season.

Real Sociedad lost 1-2 to Barcelona in the seventh round of Spain's La Liga in the 2025-2026 season at the Estadi Olympics Luis Companis in Barcelona, Spain on the 29th (Korea time). Sociedad finished 17th in a shocking result with just one win in seven games.

With Japan's top superstar Kubo starting from the bench, Sociedad held out Barcelona's one-sided offensive early in the game. He succeeded in saving only one chance in the 31st minute of the first half. An attack that started on Gonzalo Guedes' toes was delivered to Ander Barrenechea. Barrenechea connected to the centre, and Alvaro Odriozola finished from the middle.




After scoring the opening goal, Sociedad desperately fended off Barcelona's attack. However, the game was at square one in the 43rd minute of the first half when Marcus Rashford's corner kick was finished with a header.

Early in the second half, both teams chose to replace them early. Kubo was put in place of Guedes in the 12th minute of the second half. Lamine Yamal also stepped on the field a minute later. As soon as Yamal came in, he helped Robert Lewandowski's comeback goal with a cross after a clean breakthrough.
Japanese soccer's unimaginable fall of the super-emergency ace, and the relegation zone's collapse is only one goal in serious slump
Kubo could not save Sociedad. In the 27th minute of the second half, Kubo received a pass from Bryce Mendez and took a decisive opportunity in the penalty box. Kubo shot boldly but hit the post. Even if Kubo scored a goal, it was Mendez's offside.

Kubo also choked back tears in the 39th minute of the second half. Sociedad's counterattack again this time. A cross from the left passed through defenders and came to Kubo. Kubo made up his mind and fired a shot, but he hit the post again. If Kubo put it in, he could be a hero.




As the game ended, Sociedad had already lost four times in the league. Just one win in seven games. It is a shocking ranking of 17th in the league. The score is the same as Mallorca, which is currently ranked 18th. Sociedad is the most prestigious Spanish club that has had the lowest start this season. Sergio Francisco was appointed as the successor as coach Imanol Iguacil left Sociedad, but he is so sluggish at the beginning of the season.

Japanese soccer's unimaginable fall of the super-emergency ace, and the relegation zone's collapse is only one goal in serious slump
It's still early in the season, so it's too early to discuss relegation, but we need to turn the mood around. Kubo also has not scored yet after scoring one goal in the first round. For Sociedad to survive, Kubo must play a role.

No one expected Sociedad to be this sluggish early in the season. Although he was sluggish in 11th place in the league last season, Sociedad is a regular customer of La Liga's European competition. Japanese soccer fans will not want Kubo's slump to lead to the World Cup.






This article was translated by Naver AI translator.