Sergio Francisco Reflects on Draw with Elche: A Balanced Match

Sergio Francisco deemed the final draw between his Real Sociedad and Elche fair, given the scoring opportunities available to both teams. He returned to San Sebastián content with the continuation of an unbeaten streak, now at five matches, four of which are in LaLiga. However, he acknowledged that Elche performed better in terms of gameplay.

In his analysis of the match, Sergio commented, “I believe the game was evenly matched, with different strategies at play. Elche dominated the first half, leaving us somewhat uncomfortable, though we did create two or three chances to take the lead. It’s true that they had a few opportunities as well. In the second half, when we were performing better, they scored a goal against us. However, the changes we made proved effective; adjusting our system to apply more aggressive pressure led us to secure an equalizer, which I believe reflects the chances created, even though Elche was slightly better in overall play.”

When asked about the impact of his substitutions on the game, Sergio expressed satisfaction with his squad, stating, “I am pleased with the team I have; we possess the resources to change the course of matches. While some players start from the beginning, those who come on during the second half are crucial for managing the game, and I believe that everyone who played today contributed significantly, particularly in terms of pressure. Ultimately, we achieved the draw.”

Among the substitutes was Sadiq. Sergio noted, “He is a player we all know, and when the opponent allows space behind their line, he is difficult to mark due to his height and speed. We brought him in to exploit those opportunities, to challenge their defense, and to create uncertainty, similar to what Álvaro was doing from the other side. He performed well, but I think Pablo, Ahien, Zakharyan, and Sucic also made notable contributions when they entered the field.”

Real Sociedad continues to seek an away victory. Sergio reflected, “We viewed this match as an opportunity to win on the road; we came close to achieving it. Although we took away a point, it leaves us with a feeling that is less than what we desired, but I believe the balance of our last four matches is positive.”

Lastly, Sergio surprised observers by not watching the penalty taken by Oyarzabal that resulted in the equalizer. He explained, “I typically avoid watching penalties; it’s just my personal quirk. However, I have complete confidence in Mikel; he is one of the most effective penalty takers in the league.”