Real Sociedad look to shock Old Trafford
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, October 22, 2013
Real Sociedad are gearing themselves for one of the biggest games in the club's recent history when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Basque side travel to one of the most iconic grounds in the world knowing that defeat will leave them with an uphill struggle to qualify for the next stage of the competition after defeats at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and away to Bayer Leverkusen.
However, they can take heart from the fact their poor early season form has picked up of late with only a last minute free kick denying them a well-deserved point in Germany and a good win away to Valencia last weekend.
Coach Jagoba Arrasate will be hoping midfielder Ruben Pardo can continue his excellent recent form and the big question is whether or not he will look to pack the midfield in Old Trafford or go all out for the win with twin striker, Imanol Agirretxe and Carlos Vela
Real Sociedad have virtually their full squad available after the recovery of Xabi Prieto from a muscle injury and left back Albert De la Bella is the only doubt and Prieto's recovery allows Arrasate the chance to play his a second forward where his vision and eye for a goal creating pass are vital.
Real Sociedad also know that Manchester United are a long way below their best and are struggling for form domestically under new coach David Moyes, who so far has failed to get his side working as a unit.
Manchester United are currently eight points off the lead in the Premier League and look to have lost the aura of invincibility that they enjoyed under former coach Sir Alex Fergusson.
The atmosphere around the club will probably not be helped either by the fact that Fergusson's autobiography is published on Tuesday and the former coach has not held back on his opinion on former and current players such as Wayne Rooney.
Despite the probably revelations, Rooney is still vital for United and the English side have a potent attacking threat in him, Robin van Persie and England international Danny Welbeck.
The Basque club will be followed by around 7,000 fans who on Tuesday began making the trip from San Sebastian to Manchester, with flights leaving from San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Biarritz and even Girona to help cope with the demand to be there in person for such a historic occasion.
The Real Sociedad fans will not have forgotten how their near neighbors and local rivals, Athletic Club Bilbao took 8,000 fans to Old Trafford in a Europa League tie in March 2012 and were rewarded with a 3-1 win in the 'Theater of Dreams' and with Manchester United currently in crisis there is a chance that Real Sociedad can repeat that achievement.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)