Mikel Oyarzabal in the squad to face Real Mallorca, Javier Aguirre assesses Real Sociedad ahead of the Copa clash
Reale Sociead host Real Mallorca in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at the Reale Arena tonight, with kick-off set for 21:30 CEST. The first leg in Mallorca ended goalless, setting up another close encounter between the two.
The big talking point for Real society it was the fitness of Mikel Oyarzabal. The captain of Txuri-Urdin missed his last five games with muscle damage, but was included in the team by Imanol Alguacil. It was the first question that Alguacil was asked, as covered by Brand.
“How long is Oyarzabal ready? Tomorrow your doubts will be answered. He entered the team and is already important. Obviously he has not played for a while, but the captain is eager (to play).
Alguacil refused to be drawn into calling Mallorca defensive, and insisted that he wanted his team to learn.
“I don't agree to describe Mallorca as ultra defensive, because they are a team that sometimes plays very good football, what happens is that if you don't let them play, you don't see that good offensive football what they have. What I insist on is a team that competes very well.”
He also sent a rallying cry to Txuri-Urdin fans.
“I hope that tomorrow the Real Arena shakes and I hope that together we get a victory to go to the final. To start, I tell the driver to try to go down the Avenida de Madrid, that the fans give us the welcome they have given the day of Mirandes, because this is where the game begins to be won. And then I hope that the public will be with us, as in the big events. Today the Bultzada (support) were already there, they are the driving force, and there is no doubt that there will be a great atmosphere and that atmosphere will be a plus for the players.
Meanwhile, Javier Aguirre said that personally reaching the final would mean a lot to him, and it would be a way to “show his gratitude” Majorca to trust him. He was happy with how his side looked.
“That we are ready to play the game, that I see a lot of enthusiasm in the team and that we arrive at a good emotional, physical and footballing moment.”
Despite the gap between the first and second leg, Mallorca is feeling the cup fever.
“I see and notice the affection of the people, even going to do the shopping that my wife ordered me, people stop me and encourage me, the people on the street are excited and the least we can do is to make them feel proud of our work”.
As for the game itself, Aguirre expects Real to have the ball, and he wants his team to keep the ball well.
“Well, they have the ball, come in from the wings and give good crosses, and we need to improve possession with built attacks and not just play in space and on the counterattack.”
The pair met twice in February, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg that saw Umar Sadiq miss three golden chances to put Real Sociedad in front. The second, also in Palma de Mallorca, was a 2-1 win for Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino heading home late in stoppage time after a tough game. It looks like it will be another close encounter.
