Jagoba Arrasate believes that Real Sociedad are focused solely on facing Elche this weekend and not on next week’s game with Lyon.
The San Sebastian outfit travel out to the newly promoted side for Week 2’s fixture this Saturday evening in between their two-legged Champions League Play-off round tie with Lyon.
Whilst the team are 2-0 up against the French, Arrasate has determined that focus on securing their place in the UEFA competition’s group phase will not come before the game with Elche is seen out.
“There may be days when the Coach has to think about the psychological aspect, for all that is said, in changing between the competitions, but from returning from the trip to Lyon, all we have been thinking about is Elche, and the players first,” explained the 35-year-old tactician to reporters today.
“And that makes me very calm. We have to forget everything else that has happened, it is normal to dream, but we have only won one game in the Champions League, we have done nothing.
“No excessive conclusions should be drawn.”
Reports have it that Arrasate is considering making a number of changes to the line-up.
“Against Getafe we played with the best XI possible, in Lyon equally so and tomorrow we will select the team thinking only of playing Elche.
“We have to put aside the Champions League and tomorrow will play those I see as best prepared.”
Elche host La Real eager to make up for a poor opening day defeat away to Rayo Vallecano last Monday.
“Certainly we expect an improved opponent, because we are talking about a team that came up basing their form predominantly on home games.
“Tomorrow Elche will little resemble the team seen at Vallecas.
“They are a team that played very good football last year, we expect a tough game.
“It may seem a little like the game against Lyon on Tuesday, they will come out very motivated and if we do not match them, we will have a lot of trouble.”
