Real Sociedad are preparing for the Basque derby against Athletic Club on Saturday (16:15 CEST), knowing that victory will represent a major step towards qualification for the Champions League. Speaking to Diario AS ahead of the game, star midfielder Mikel Merino has stated that joining La Real was the best decision he has made in his career.
Much of the talk was about what victory would mean in the top four race in terms of momentum and signficance – victory for La Real would mean doing the double this season, after a 3-1 win in the first tie.
Merino explained where he thought La Real had to be strong.
“(Sighs) There are so many keys! I see it as important to be true to ourselves, to know how to manage the momentum that they are going build up with the support of their people. Also, not to make too many mistakes when putting the ball in when it is not necessary, because they are going to try to penalise those losses with fast transitions. They are very strong there, with very fast players. Watching will be important on those second plays.”
Qualifying as Basque for Athletic Club, having come through the system at Osasuna in Navarra, Merino could have signed for Athletic Club at some point. But he has no regrets.
“Well, there are X players and X teams. And each one plays where they want or can. I am very happy to be where I am. I made the best decision of my career signing for Real.”
There were rumours that he had an offer from Athletic.
“It is not something that I am very clear on, they are situations that my representatives managed. And when Real’s offer came, I didn’t think about it, because I believed that because of the club’s style and idea it was my destiny, and I didn’t give much thought to the rest.”
Various elements at La Real have asked them to rise to the pressure and go on to secure a top four spot this season, including captain Mikel Oyarzabal and manager Imanol Alguacil. They currently have a four-point advantage over Villarreal.
“Let’s see, I don’t like to put external pressure on myself. I am very calm, I know that it would be something historic, but also entering Europe four years in a row we would all have taken it. You have to be ambitious, but not playing in the Champions League would not be a failure, it wouldn’t be fair to say that.”
Once again this season, Real Sociedad have seen a major drop-off in the second half of the season. La Real have just three wins since the 21st of January, but could make it two on the bounce on Saturday. Villarreal with have the chance to apply pressure with a win against Real Valladolid less than an hour before the Basque derby.
