MADRID (AP) — Real Sociedad will have to overcome its worst crisis of the season if it wants to continue its Champions League run.
The Spanish club reached the round of 16 for the first time in two decades but can qualify on Tuesday after coming back from a 2-0 first-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain three weeks ago.
It’s a daunting task given that Sociedad have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions and lost five of their last six, winning 3-2 at Sevilla in the Spanish league on Saturday. Prior to this recent streak, they had lost 4 times all season.
“I will ask the team to show personality, as they did in Paris. That’s where we showed that we’re obviously capable,” Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said on Monday. “For our part, we will do everything we can to achieve that. ” This. I need the most productive environment, on and off the field. It may not be easy, but we are hopeful. The important thing is to be competitive and stay alive.
The Basque club has had a strong season, staying close to the best in La Liga and winning their Champions League organization ahead of Inter Milan. He has never finished first at the organizational level of European competition, where he last played in 2013-14. .
“A few months ago we had the idea that we would be here after winning our group,” Alguacil said. “And we played the point with PSG in the first hour in Paris, against one of the favourites. “
Society reached the round of 16 in their Champions League final in 2003-04 but had returned to Europe’s biggest club tournament since 2013-14.
The Society’s European crusade came in 1982-83, when it reached the semi-finals of the European Cup.
Alguacil rested several La Liga regulars against Sevilla in a bid to have a fresher squad against PSG. Among those excluded were Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo. Attacking midfielder Brais Méndez played just a few minutes in the defeat to Sevilla. and scored the team’s second goal in stoppage time.
“We want the most productive Real to face one of the most productive groups in Europe. It’s not just any game,” Kubo said. We have preference and enthusiasm, and anything is possible. The enthusiasts in us, we’re going to fight and it’s going to be a wonderful night.
PSG have won 10 of their last thirteen matches in all competitions, but have drawn their last two Ligue 1 matches against Rennes and Monaco.
“The second legs are difficult. The first leg was a smart result, but it will be confusing if we don’t take the field with the right attitude and focus,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, a Spaniard who faced Sociedad several times as Barcelona. coach. ” I just hope the team is up to the task as we’ve been doing all season. It’s a must-win game.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews. com/hub/soccer