RYAN BENCHED FOR MONACO DRAW
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Australia national team shot stopper Mat Ryan was on the bench for the entire duration of the Europa League clash between Real Sociedad and French Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco on Thursday. In the Group B encounter, Alex Remiro was preferred to the Australia international in the Real Sociedad goal.
Ryan has made just one appearance since joining Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad during this summer's transfer window. The experienced shot stopper had earlier spent the second half of last season on loan at North London club Arsenal while he was still a Brighton and Hove Albion player.
Australia shot stopper Ryan watched from the bench as Real Sociedad picked up their second draw in two Europa League group stage matches via a 1-1 draw. Real Sociedad needed to score in the second half to earn a point from the game against Monaco.
French side Monaco took the lead on 16 minutes courtesy young centre back Axel Disasi off the assist from SofianeDiop. The two young players combined to give Monaco a first half lead but it took hosts Real Sociedad just eight second half minutes to restore parity thanks to Mikel Merino. In the end, the strike from ex-Newcastle United midfielder Merino ensured that Real Sociedad avoided defeat at home to their French opponents. In their first game in Group B, hosts PSV Eindhoven and Real Sociedad played out a 2-2 draw with Ryan on the bench for the game. Alex Remiro was preferred to the Australia national team player.
The only Real Sociedad game for Australian international Ryan till date came in the Spanish La Liga. He was in goal as AritzElustondo scored the second of his brace eight minutes from time to give Real Sociedad a 3-2 away win over Granada. Ryan is likely to stay on the bench when Real Sociedad face hosts Getafe in their next league game this weekend.