Imanol Alguacil on Oskarsson, Oyarzabal, the lack of goals, and Osasuna

Real Sociedad

The importance of playing at home

"It is true that playing in front of the fans helps and is an extra plus. It is clear that in a quarterfinal matchup, the home factor will surely be very beneficial for us, and hopefully, once again Anoeta will be packed and the fans will support the team because we need them more than ever. Surely, together it will be much easier to face Osasuna at this moment."

Osasuna has won both matches this season. Could that affect the mental aspect?

"I would say no, but you can add the friendly match into the mix, it doesn't matter, they are three. We had a very good streak against Osasuna until very recently, and this year we have lost three in a row. I always say the same about famous dynamics, whether they are in favor or against, there is always a day when they break. Hopefully, tomorrow we will be able to compete at a good level to face a great Osasuna, and above all, to advance in the tie, which is what we want."

Was Sunday's defeat due to a bad day in both areas or was there more?

"Of course, I saw something more, but I'll keep it to myself, for the players, for the team, to try to grow and not give clues, but I agree that the team did a lot of good things, and no team had been able to do that at El Sadar. But the areas make the difference. There is no doubt that both in one and the other, Osasuna is one of the best teams, and surely last day they managed to win 2-0 because they were victorious in both."

Is the team going through a defensive slump?

"Once again, dynamics, streaks, I said it, it's a young team and we have to grow, and even if we weren't conceding goals, it doesn't mean we are doing everything right all the time and what's happening now is an example. We were the team that conceded and scored the least, but suddenly we started to concede, so we need to keep adjusting things to improve. It's through mistakes that this team will take steps forward."

Can Oskarsson and Oyarzabal be compatible as starters?

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"Yes, in fact, they have already played together as starters, but what do we do? Do we play them both tomorrow? Because neither of them is ready to last 120 minutes if needed. So, what do we do? Do we play the last half-hour without forwards? Do we wear them out tomorrow or risk one getting injured when we have I don't know how many matches every three days?. We all know that both can play, and they have done so. But it is my responsibility and obviously, decisions have to be made. We have to try to make the right decision, not just thinking about tomorrow's match, which is very important because it is evident that we want to be in the semifinals, but then I will be required, as will I, to win on Sunday. And then next Wednesday, we are where we are, and we have to evaluate everything very well. We are not robots, we are people, we are young, but we have a limit."

Low goal-scoring numbers

"But it's not the forward, others need to step up. Others need to step up. Those who create chances, who make the pass. It's not Orri or Mikel, for example, because they are the ones recently playing up front. Sometimes they are pointed at, but it's others who have the opportunity to make a good cross with an advantage and don't do it. That's why it's not about pointing fingers at the forward, I also demand aggressiveness from second-line players when it comes to entering the box and doing it convincingly. The wingers on the opposite side, whom I keep insisting and insisting to score, but it's not just the number nine or the one playing as a forward, it is everyone. We are focusing on that because we have a deficit and the team knows it."

Do you see Oskarsson more prepared to be Real's '9'?

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"He is increasingly adapted, of course, because he knows us all more and more, but I still think the same. We cannot change a player in two months. It's impossible. This guy is still a kid and very raw. No matter how many goals he scores from now until the end of the season, this guy's margin of improvement is huge as with many others. If one doesn't want to see it... but that's how it is, not only with Orri, but with the entire squad in general. Obviously, it is very useful for these guys to go through moments like the ones we are experiencing this season, especially if we are able to improve, and it is through living these experiences that these players will grow."

Is Budimir causing uncertainty or is it a challenge

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"It's a challenge, a thrill, not just Budimir, but being able this season to beat Osasuna, to be in the next round, and to stop a great striker, who not only scores against Real Sociedad but against all teams. It is clear that Budimir is giving them a lot, but I wouldn't just focus on his work because surely, if he doesn't get the service he receives, it would be impossible for him to score. For us, tomorrow, fear does not exist. We have a tremendous responsibility because we want to be in the semifinals again, and we are eager to win and be in the semifinals, eager to play a great game."

Do you expect something different from Osasuna given the type of match it is?

"Yes, because we have already faced them in the Cup playing knockout matches, and all the games have been different. Tomorrow's match will obviously be totally different because being a single match, if one scores, it won't change much how you approach what's left. Also, as the match approaches its final stretch, you have to play with the possibility that if the result is tied, you may have to play extra time. The conditions of the famous changes, knowing that we can also play every 2-3 days."

Do you consider extra time and penalties?

"Of course, because they are part of a tie. What is clear is that we want to advance in the 90 minutes to avoid the effort of the extra 30 minutes, but last year we reached penalties. Today we practiced them, but by chance, today I understood that it could happen. I think we scored almost all of them although some were stopped by the goalkeepers."

Importance of the fans

"I've been repeating it, and not just because I'm sitting here today. This group of players, it is true that there are many new ones and also very young, but this group of players has given so much to this club and to the fans that now we cannot not be with them, we cannot stop cheering for them. I ask for an effort, which the fans are already making because it has a lot of merit since the schedules are being horrendous to say the least, so they have a hell of a merit in how they are coming to support the team, but we need an extra, and that extra can come from the stands. I believe that together we can be much stronger, and hopefully tomorrow, the atmosphere that has been solidly built these last few years at Anoeta in important matches will be generated."