The 1998-99 campaign for Real Sociedad delivered a respectable 10th-place finish for the Txuri-Urdin in La Liga, with their season significantly brightened by a memorable run in Europe. Leading the charge was the prolific Yugoslav forward Darko Kovačević, whose 16 league goals proved crucial. Kovačević was also the joint top scorer in the UEFA Cup that season, helping urdinak navigate past Sparta Prague and Dynamo Moscow before their impressive European adventure was finally ended in a dramatic Third Round defeat to Atlético Madrid in extra time. It was a season that showcased the talent of players like Agustín Aranzabal and Javi de Pedro, and remains a nostalgic chapter as it marked the conclusion of Kovačević's first influential spell before his move to Juventus.. The 1999-00 campaign delivered a turbulent season for Real Sociedad, with urdinak ultimately securing a 13th-place finish in La Liga after a mid-season managerial change. Spearheading the attack was Óscar de Paula, whose 9 goals were crucial in a year defined by inconsistency and an early exit from the Copa del Rey. This season is immortalized, however, for the debut of a young, 18-year-old Xabi Alonso, whose single appearance laid the vital groundwork for his future legendary career and remains a defining chapter in the club's modern history.