REAL MADRID-REAL SOCIEDAD | EUSEBIO
"We have the potential to do something big at the Bernabéu"
Real Sociedad's coach says his players are "mentally strong" despite their recent elimination from the Copa del Rey. Sanse player Kevin will cover for the suspended Yuri.
Real Madrid – Real Sociedad live
Fired up for Bernabéu test
With some signs of tiredness for the build-up of games during January, Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristán previewed tomorrow's trip to the Bernabéu, a stadium where the Basque side have only won three times in 69 visits.
Left-back slot
Hector Hernández: "It's true that we have been looking at the possibility of finding an outlet for him and we have been holding talks with other clubs. We have the option of Kevin, who has been doing well with Sanse, so we would have the left-back position covered".
Zaldua: "Hestarted working with the squad agains yesterday but he's still suffering some discomfort. We'll make a decision as to whether he can enter the list".
Confidence
Mental state after being dumped out of the Copa del Rey: "We're fine, a little bit sad because we had high hopes of doing well in the Copa. We are proud of the work we have been doing and it’s nice to play good games of football but what we are really aiming to do is to reach our objectives. We have to be ambitious and believe that playing well alone is not enough. We have to continue doing things well but making sure that our actions help us to reach our objectives and gain results. We are happy with what we are doing and proud too, but we want more".
Amazing run
Real Madrid's downturn: "Real Madrid always deserve a lot of respect and I admire all of what they have done this season. They had an unbeaten run which was quite amazing, gaining many positive results over a lot of games which is every difficult to do but they have done it. That means they have managed to enter into a dynamic in which they are doing everything well. They will be going into this game after a few results which haven’t been so positive but like life itself, nothing is eternal and despite those results, their team remains the same. We know what it is like to visit the Bernabéu and play against Real Madrid – it is always very, very difficult. But we are excited and we are fully prepared to do our work. Victory for us would put us in a very good position in the league and we’ll be going all out to beat them".
Rubén Pardo: "He took a decision, which was to leave the club and get more playing time somewhere else and he is convinced that he will get that at Betis. I said a while back that if any player thinks they will be happier at another club then I will always respect their decision".
