LOPETEGUI: "WE MUST BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE DEMANDS OF FACING LA REAL"

Julen Lopetegui has given his pre-match press conference on the eve of the home match against Real Sociedad. After the team trained for the last time ahead of the clash, the coach stated that "very little time has passed since the last match, and in even less time we've got a very tough match ahead of us, but at the same time it's a very nice and important match against Real Sociedad. They're one of the best teams in the league and they'll be ready and waiting for us after preparing all week for this match. We have to get ready and be able to respond to those demands, of facing this team at home". 

The coach then spoke about Los Txuri Urdin and their squad, and particularly highlighted the role of his counterpart in their dugout: "They're a team that always go out to win and I'm sure they'll want to take advantage of having a free midweek, with a high tempo. They have very good players, but they're without Oyarzabal, and I hope he recovers quickly, but as a squad they're very interesting. We must get ready to respond well to those demands, and we'll focus on using our options as well as we can. Imanol has done an exceptional job since he took charge. They're a complete, recognisable team, and it's one of the best squads in the club's history". 

Lopetegui then focused on the final stretch of the league season: "Matches come thick and fast in football. We're now focused on the most important competition, in which I want to make history again by securing Champions League qualification, it would be an extraordinary milestone and we'll fight for it by treating every match like a final. We have to compete with the same excitement, ambitious and as much energy as possible, that's what is required in this type of match. It's a mix of stamina, football and mentality. That's how it'll be on Sunday too. We've got ten precious, tough matches left. La Real are already preparing for one match a week. We can make up for absences with the fact we're playing at home, that extra support, but then we have to give the fans reasons to keep up their support". 

"We have to give the fans reasons to keep up that support"

That then led to comments about the squad for tomorrow's match, with Rafa Mir missing out due to a knock: "Rafa hurt himself in London, and the knock he has will surely rule him out from this match. When we have to play before 21:00, every hour is important. Tomorrow is when we can truly tell which players are available. From then on, we will go out all out with those who are playing, with as much excitement and ambition as possible". 

To finish, he maintained that the team must take it one game at a time to achieve Champions League qualification, and praised the performances of the academy players: "The lads have came with us out of neccesity. Luismi, Iván, Carmona... it's an important moment for them too because they have to help us, and they take that step forward. They always try to help the team".