Imanol Alguacil on Zubeldia, Aihen, Óskarsson, rotations, and Midtjylland

Real Sociedad

Rotations and injuries

45

Aihen Muñoz
1.030.000€-10.000€-

J23

-

J22

6

J21

-

J20

5

J19

DF

00

90

Zubeldia
2.370.000€-30.000€-

J23

2

J22

6

J21

4

J20

-

J19

DF

00

"What encouraged me to make this type of decisions was the players' performance and how I saw them. I saw many of them at a good level, close to their 100%, and that's what is encouraging me to make the rotations that I have been doing lately because obviously, if we go through this round, there will be 19 games. Now looking back, we are going for the tenth. Another very important one comes on Sunday, and then will come the return leg of this tie, and so on. We want to be in all three competitions, and for that, it was important to have the entire squad as we do at the moment. Aihen and Igor stayed in San Sebastian due to some minor discomfort, but I believe both will be ready for Sunday. I hope that tomorrow we are able to compete, if we can achieve a good result, and above all, avoid having injured players".

The txuriurdin coach has talked about how he sees tomorrow's match

“It is true that they are used to this winter break, so I don't think they will use it as an excuse either. And we know that, as always, it will be a tough match because in Europe, all games are. They have very physical players and they do a lot of damage on set-pieces, both from free kicks and corners, but from midfield onwards, they have young players of great quality. We will have to show our best version to face them”.

He has added some more notes about Midtjylland

57

Oskarsson
2.650.000€-70.000€3

J23

7

J22

1

J21

2

J20

3

J19

DL

03

“Orri has already told us that he didn't manage to win here, they have collected 13 points in the group stage, which must mean something. Let's see if we can compete here and take the best possible result to the return leg”.

Imanol has not yet passed a round in Europe

“That's right, it's one more challenge, not the only one, but the most immediate one. We have not been able to get past a round in recent years, and we'll see if we can do it this season, for which we have to play a great game”.

He was asked about Óskarsson

57

Oskarsson
2.650.000€-70.000€3

J23

7

J22

1

J21

2

J20

3

J19

DL

03

"Not only in this case with Orri, who also has the disadvantage of not knowing many of the players, not me either, nor LALIGA, and that is somewhat more complicated for players like him, young, with a lot of future, arriving in a new league, a new city, and a new club. The adaptation is going very well, he is making an effort, and is taking steps to learn the language quickly so that we can have better conversations, which we already do, but to understand each other better. When players from the reserve team are promoted, I always say patience and calm, and that we have to choose the right moments so they don't fall, in Orri's case, the same. I have to think about the future and his well-being, and that's what I'm doing. However, I am pleased with how he is progressing".

Are you concerned about the cold?

“Not at all for me, but tomorrow we will find out. It's going to be chilly. I asked how many had played in such temperatures and there were four players”.

Asked about his contract renewal

“My renewal will not depend on your comments or those of the fans, it will solely depend on how I feel. And, for now, tranquility. A deadline? Ask the president, but from our conversations, as they expect me to be the coach for next year, they will wait until the last day. And as Real is a very big club and at the moment any coach would want to come to Real, they will have no problem hiring a top-notch coach”.

Rotations