IManol Alguacil left Anoeta very happyafter his Real Sociedad managed to get three very important points in the fight for Europe, despite not having a great game against Villarreal, as he himself acknowledged.
Imanol acknowledged his happiness for the victory. “I am very happy with the work of my players, against a great rival and a great coach, who, for one reason or another, was difficult to beat and today we did it. The match was going to be even and it was going to be decided in the areas and that is how it was. A clearance by Oyarzabal and a deliberate action by Kubo allowed us to win the game.”
I agree with Marcelino that it was a very close match, other times they won without deserving it so much.
Marcelino stated before his appearance that Villarreal deserved, at least, the draw. “I agree with Marcelino that the match was very close and we had to be accurate in the area and we did that. Last year we already changed the inertia a little at home, so that the fans were more happy, and we are going to see if we are able to continue it.”
The one from Orio remembered, yes, that other times it was his enemy yesterday who won without deserving it. “It was neither the best nor the most brilliant match we played against Villarreal. I don’t know if fairly or unfairly, other times they have undeservedly taken the win because they were right, today it was us. We have stuck to what they do, because they are the best team in transitions, the best, and we have suffered, but despite that we have managed to win.”
La Real continues to score clean sheets and it is very difficult for them to lose. “Yes, but we have to continue improving, because I think we can do much better. It’s good to win today, it will give us strength and energy, but we have a lot, a lot of room for improvement. We are far from what I would like as a team. But the victory has a lot of merit, because the rival’s level was very high and because it is a team that always causes problems for its rivals.”
I am worried about Zubimendi’s condition, his ankle and knee have gone at the same time
Imanol was questioned about the physical condition of Zubimendi, who ended up badly beaten. “Yes, it worries me, because load management is going to be important in the face of calendar torture. His ankle is gone and at the same time his knee. When I was hot I had good feelings, but we’re going to wait until tomorrow. And there are many people who are tired, we will see if they recover well, ahead of Thursday’s tie.”
Finally, the Orio player was asked for a few words about Kubo, the protagonist of the triumph and to whom he often demands. “I am very clear and so is he. He knows that I demand of him, but it is because he can do it, because he has proven it. Today he entered the game very well, wanting to be the protagonist, as I always ask of him. It is an action of wanting and then having the innate talent to do what he has done. He has to have the ambition to make the numbers I ask of him in terms of goals and assists, I know it is complicated, but he is showing that he is capable.”
