Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil put plenty of emphasis on the emotional aspect of guiding his team through the Champions League, and enjoying the journey, ahead of their clash with Benfica.
“I’m enjoying it, enjoying this moment, seeing so many media from there and here, it means that we are facing a great team, a Champions League match. And here is our Real Sociedad,” Alguacil explained to MD.
He also noted the deep personal connection he has with many of the players in the Txuri-Urdin ranks, something that would not be present at most clubs. Around 16 of the senior players have come through the academy at La Real, with Alguacil coaching in the youth ranks before he took the top job.
“[Imagine what it feels like to] be in charge of Real with many players with whom I have been living alongside for eight years, since they were teenagers, I have met their girlfriends, who are now their wives, and their children.”
“You can imagine what I can feel. It’s a great thing. If they told us four years ago that we were going to be here, with the possibility of continue being leaders [of the group] against Benfica, we wouldn’t have believed it.”
"I respect our opponents a lot, but this team is not coming to draw, it wants to win, let there be no doubt about it."
Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has sent a message of intent ahead of their #UCL clash with Benfica.#SLBenfica #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/YOd78LOJ7y
— Football España (@footballespana_) October 24, 2023
Alguacil was keen to emphasize that despite his comments, they are not simply there for the ride. After a draw with Inter, and victory over RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad will stay top with a draw, and become outright leaders with a win over the Portuguese giants at the Estadio da Luz.
