Real Sociedad seek positive result at Hearts, aim to finish the tie at home | OneFootball

Real Sociedad visit Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh on Wednesday at 20:00 for a Europa Cup round of 32 first leg. The return is a week later in Zubieta after their Champions League qualifying exit to Chelsea.

According to Diario Vasco, the team are winless after four league games and see this tie as a chance to rediscover last season’s edge. Nahia Aparicio said a win could boost them, but finishing must improve and communication will be key against Hearts.

Reflecting on Chelsea, she stressed small details and felt that at 2-2 they perhaps should have stayed compact. She called for calm, maintained belief and said they want to go as far as possible in Europe.

Head coach Gorka Álvarez called it a chance to take a step, sustain their play and halt the run. He said the idea is to win in Edinburgh and finish it at home. He added they create plenty but lack a clinical edge, although defensive gains are helping.

Álvarez called the competition exciting and one where they could make history. He sees a calm group eager to work and be more aggressive, but still needing a final spark. The match will be on artificial turf, a familiar surface, with identity the bigger concern.

He warned Hearts are reigning champions, consistent bar a loss to Rangers, and physically intense with a direct transition threat. Aiara remains out, María Molina is easing back and Sonya Keefe is still recovering, so few changes are expected.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”