Guests treated to Merino interview & captivating contest in San Sebastian

The build-up to a pivotal game offered an ideal opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into how Real Sociedad prepare for their matches. Luana Maluf, Panos Dent and Marios Priamos, who were flying the flag for ESPN Brazil, Greece's COMSOTE TV and Cypriot broadcaster PrimeTel in the LaLiga Experience programme, got to attend one of the Basque outfit's training sessions as they took their places pitchside at the Reale Arena to watch the San Sebastian-based club's stars get put through their paces.

Panos Dent and Priamos were able to chat with Mikel Merino, with the Real Sociedad man answering all of our guests' questions and the midfield star even dared to go head-to-head with the Cypriot influencer in an improvised accuracy challenge.

And before they knew it, the big day was here. The LaLiga Experience signings were brimming with excitement as kick-off approached. The visitors got to sit back and relax as their host club laid on the VIP treatment. The La Real mascot, Txurdin, was keen to introduce himself and crank up the atmosphere ahead of the big game.

Real Sociedad and Barcelona served up a high-intensity bout that certainly didn't disappoint. Full of fine football and plenty of thrills and spills it offered our signings a night they won't forget in a hurry as they headed home with photos and videos galore and memories to last a lifetime.