Real Sociedad vs. Leipzig: UEFA Europa League probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Leipzig were caught out early on in the first leg, conceding inside eight minutes, but struck back thanks to Nkunku and a late Emil Forsberg penalty that sees the duo locked at 2-2 ahead of the return in Spain. With the away goals rule abolished this season, the tie really is on a knife edge, and Domenico Tedesco's men will be in confident mood after finding the net 23 times in eight games in all competitions in 2022, the latest of which was their biggest ever away win with the 6-1 victory at Hertha Berlin on Matchday 23. "The team's unity is what makes us good right now," said Tedesco, who watched Nkunku notch his 12th and 13th league goals of the campaign. Willi Orban had been expected to miss the game in Spain, but shook off a cold to even play against Hertha, though Angelino did not. Mohamed Simakan was replaced by Lukas Klostermann at half-time in Berlin, and the Germany international is likely to feature in the visitors' starting back line.

While Leipzig ran riot, Real were getting smashed by Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao, losing 4-0 at the home of their derby rivals and conceding all the goals in a disastrous closing 22 minutes of the match. Leipzig arrive at the Anoeta with six victories and just one defeat in their last eight competitive outings; Real by contrast have won just once in their last six appearances in all competitions. Former Leipzig forward Alexander Sorloth, who scored five times in 29 Bundesliga games for Die Roten Bullen last season, has not struck a competitive goal since early December, and ex-Borussia Dortmund prodigy Alexander Isak has netted just once in 2022, and missed the match in Bilbao - just as he sat out the first leg against Leipzig - due to a left thigh injury. Another former Dortmund man, midfielder Mikel Merino, was forced off just after the hour mark at the weekend, and is a doubt.

Match stats

The first leg was the sides' very first competitive meeting.

Real have played nine times — winning just twice and losing four — against German opposition in European competition.

Nkunku has scored 22 goals in 33 games in all competitions this season.

Leipzig have three Spaniards on their books in Angelino, Josep Martinez and Dani Olmo, none of whom have played in La Liga.

Adnan Januzaj (2015), Merino (2016/17) and Isak (2017/18) are former Bundesliga players, all having represented Dortmund.

Line-ups

Real Sociedad: Remiro - Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz - Zubimendi, Rafinha - Portu, Silva, Oyarzabal (c) - Sorloth

Out: Barrenetxea (thigh), Fernandez (knee), Monreal (knee)

Doubtful: Merino (knock)

Coach: Imanol Alguacil

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol - Henrichs, Laimer, Kampl, Angelino - Olmo, Nkunku - Silva

Out: -

Doubtful: Halstenberg (back), Simakan (knock)

Coach: Domenico Tedesco