Marcelino Expresses Confidence Ahead of Crucial Liga Match

Marcelino is confident that his team will showcase the same strong performance this weekend as they have consistently done throughout the year in La Liga. The Asturian coach notes that both teams arrive in good form and that they have had sufficient time to recuperate.

Reflecting on their recent defeat in Dortmund, he stated, “We are well; the last match is behind us, and we are focused on an upcoming game that will be very challenging. Our opponent has improved after a hesitant start and boasts quality players. We must approach this match with the conviction that if we perform at our best, we will maintain our winning streak in the league.”

Discussing the differences between the Champions League and La Liga, he remarked, “We have faced strong teams in the Champions League, such as Tottenham, Juventus, and Manchester City, and we experienced a setback with a questionable decision leading to a penalty against us in Dortmund. We acknowledge that we need to elevate our level of play, as luck has not been on our side in the Champions League. However, in La Liga, the details have been favorable for us. We must trust ourselves and enhance the competitive level we have been demonstrating. After thirteen matches, we are just three points behind the leaders, which indicates we are performing well.”

On the importance of accumulating points in the Champions League, he said, “I have already discussed the Champions League. Our focus is on winning against Copenhagen now, and then we will see what happens. For the time being, we are concentrating on the league to secure our position in the standings.”

Regarding their match against Real Sociedad, he noted, “They are currently in good form, having earned 11 out of 15 points, while we have secured 13 out of 15, including victories on difficult grounds. This will be a challenging match, but we have demonstrated the ability to compete against anyone, and I am confident we will perform well there.”

When addressing the physical demands following their Champions League match, he added, “Five days have passed since our last game, which has not been the case this year. We have had time to rest, and there are no excuses. We want to continue playing in the Champions League because the more we play, the better our chances of succeeding. Ideally, we will replicate the level of play we exhibited in the first half against Dortmund, while also being mindful of their swift and effective transitions.”

Analyzing Real Sociedad, he stated, “They have a new coach who is trying to implement fresh ideas. I know two of their players very well from Valencia, and I am grateful for their contributions. Although they are missing Oyarzabal, they have Kubo and Brais, who can create significant challenges in attack. We will aim to be precise and reach the area as much as possible. They press forward aggressively, play at a high tempo, and have effective transitions. They alternate pressing and quickly fall back into defense, making them fast and accurate.”

Lastly, he commented on the potential for a strong away start if they win: “It’s paradoxical. We are performing well in La Liga but have had mixed results in the Champions League. If it weren’t for our setback in Cyprus, we would be in a promising position. It’s not just us; Spanish teams are also struggling to find an extra edge away from home. However, at the start of the season, our focus was on competing effectively in La Liga while juggling Champions League commitments, which is worth noting. This squad still has room for growth.”