Real Sociedad manager confident ahead of Barcelona clash – ‘We can take advantage’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be aiming to maintain their strong winning momentum as they take on Real Sociedad at home tomorrow.

Heading into this crucial game, Real Sociedad manager Sergio Francisco voiced confidence about his team, especially after a narrow win over Mallorca in midweek.

What Real Sociedad coach said ahead of Barcelona clash

“It’s a victory that changes the dynamic for us more than anything I can take off. It creates a different context, and it gets the team moving.

“These have been different days; the team is happy, we’ve had a good vibe from day one, and we have that spark,” he said about the recent win against Mallorca.

Talking about facing Barcelona, Francisco said he is fully committed to guiding his team to three points this weekend.

“We prepare for every game with the pressure of three points, and we’re going for them, regardless of the opponent’s difficulty. By playing a complete game, we’re sure to have a chance. Everyone is competing well against them, but the details matter at the moment,” he said.

The Sociedad coach added that Barcelona are used to playing a game every three days.

“They’re used to playing every three days; they’re certainly prepared, but we’re also prepared to compete anywhere. Looking at it like that, we could put that oversight you mentioned to our favour,” he said.

Francisco even added that Real Sociedad are going to have an opportunity in the game, especially keeping in mind Barcelona’s slightly porous defence this season.

“We’re going to have chances in the game; they’ve had tough games, and we can take advantage at the end. We shouldn’t give them away; we feel like we’re in it until the end.

Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco is ready for the Barcelona clash. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“We want to continue how we felt the other day; if we concede three goals, it’s very difficult to think about winning the game,” he added.

The Real Sociedad coach also explained how his team must approach this Barcelona setup, who are more than capable of punishing an opponent’s mistake.

He urged his players to be solid and give them as few chances as possible.

“We need to be a solid team, conceding as few chances as possible, even though it’s Barça and they’ll create for everyone. And we need to score our own, which we’ll have because we’re capable of creating for everyone.

“We need to be solid and focused to take advantage of their chances and take advantage of the ones we have,” he said.

Sergio Francisco admitted that he will not think about rotations and will be keen on fielding the best players, even though he is disappointed he won’t be able to count on Aritz Elustondo.

“I was convinced Aritz would be there, but he hasn’t developed as we would have liked; he’s still got a lot of discomfort, and we haven’t been able to get him in,” he confirmed about Aritz.

“Alex Lebarbier was ready and is ready for this one, no doubt about it. It’s not about rotations; I don’t like that word. We’re going to choose the players we believe will be the best for that match,” he added.

Finally, the Spaniard confirmed that former Barcelona youth prodigy Takefusa Kubo is ready for this game, having returned from an ankle injury.

“Take ‘s ankle is fine, I want to make that very clear. The normal thing after competing is to put ice on it. Don’t worry about him, he’s ready,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo