Sergio Francisco Addresses Oyarzabal’s Injury and Team Resilience

Sergio Francisco has clearly articulated that Mikel Oyarzabal’s injury is an inherent risk in football, and he does not wish to incite controversy regarding Oyarzabal’s participation with the national team, nor the limited rest he received while at Real Sociedad. The manager is hopeful that the impact of losing the captain will be minimized and that other players will step up in his absence.

In his pre-match press conference, it was evident that Oyarzabal’s situation was a focal point. “Mikel is calm and aware that this injury is unfortunate. He is confident that he will recover soon; I see him at ease because of that. Will he be ready before Christmas? I hope so, but we need to ensure there are no setbacks. Players must return properly, and we have to tread carefully.”

When asked about the significance of losing such a key player, especially this season, Sergio responded affirmatively, stating, “I believe we have discussed this extensively. I fully agree that he is an extremely important player. We have mentioned that he was the only one consistently scoring goals and possessed the best mentality. However, I believe our group has many players who are improving daily and can step up in areas where Mikel contributed. The team has increased its scoring potential and improved its mentality, and he will be close by, contributing in other ways. I hope he recovers soon, but I am confident in our current squad to compete effectively.”

Sergio firmly rejected the notion that they foresaw Oyarzabal’s injury due to his heavy playing schedule with both Real Sociedad and the national team. “No, absolutely not. If we had anticipated that Mikel was close to an injury, we would have reduced his training load. We have been in constant communication to monitor his condition. This is just one more injury; despite Mikel’s demanding schedule, we strive to take care of every player to prevent such occurrences. This has happened, and now we need to ensure he recovers properly and quickly.”

When pressed about potential substitutes for Oyarzabal to assume responsibility, he stated, “All ten players starting will need to take on that responsibility, pursuing every ball and challenge. While we may not have a clear reference point like Mikel, we have players with experience who can maintain the strength necessary to win matches.”

In terms of available substitutes, Óskarsson and Karrikaburu have been sidelined due to long-term injuries. “We have forwards available; you have seen Carrera training today, and we have Sadiq, while Guedes can play in any position up front. We will consider all options to face Villarreal, utilizing their strengths.”

Is Carrera, the young player from Sanse, prepared for this challenge? “Absolutely, I see him as ready. If he participates, I am convinced he will perform well. We will assess how the match unfolds, but he is with us because he can contribute.”

Sadiq is another viable option and could start, having transitioned from a transfer list in the summer. “I would describe him as a valuable asset. Circumstances can shift over time, and Sadiq has earned his place in the team from the beginning of the season to now. He has gradually integrated, first through training and then through the minutes he has played, which have been beneficial. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I am confident he will make a significant impact.”