The 11th minute is the one that will follow Bournemouth around from now on.
Justin Kluivert stood unmarked at the far post, side-footed Adrien Truffert’s low cross past the goalkeeper and became the first Bournemouth player to score a competitive goal in Europe. A VAR check delayed the celebration but not the fact of it. When Sky Sports called the moment, it was as the goal that ended a 127-year wait.
Rayan added a second nine minutes later, heading in Alex Scott’s lofted ball at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian. Evanilson clipped the post shortly afterwards with a header that would have made it three before the break.
A club still in shock at where it is
Marco Rose’s first European tie in charge of the Cherries came 18 years on from a start to a fourth-tier season on minus 17 points, when the club was in serious financial trouble. Rose brought roughly 2,000 travelling supporters and a plan built on pressing high, and for 45 minutes it looked ruthless.
“That’s Bournemouth. That’s Bournemouth football. We want to be active, we want to be front-footed, we want to play forward and we want to create chances,” Rose said afterwards.
He was less pleased with what followed.
“In the second half, we needed to suffer because we were not so sharp,” Rose told reporters in San Sebastian.
Sergio Gomez sets up a nervous finish
Sergio Gomez pulled the hosts back into the tie in the 57th minute with a delivery from a wide position that curled past Petrovic. Real Sociedad pushed for an equaliser and the Bournemouth goalkeeper had to make a reaction save from Oskarsson at the back post inside stoppage time to protect the lead.
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The visitors held on.
The result matches a projection few outside the south coast were making in August. The Opta supercomputer had already installed Rose’s side as the most likely winner of the Europa League this season, lifting the trophy in 14.3% of its simulations. Bookmakers were less convinced, but the first result of the league phase went to plan.
“It’s a brilliant win in our first European game. It’s brilliant for the club and 2000 fans from Bournemouth,” Rose said.
Bournemouth’s next Europa League fixture is at home to Sturm Graz on 15 October.
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