Xavi García Pimienta visited the press room at the Jesús Navas Stadium to discuss Sunday’s match in San Sebastián. If all goes well, Lokonga will be a new addition to the squad: «Sambi has already trained the entire week, first partially and today, and hopefully tomorrow, a full training session. If there are no surprises, he could be included in the squad to help us. It’s great news to have him back for Sunday.»
Real Sociedad faced United in the UEL yesterday, but the coach expects a very competitive opponent: «They have a more than ample squad to handle all three competitions, and they are doing very well. It’s true that playing on Thursday, Sunday, Thursday next week, and Thursday again can be exhausting. However, their squad is very complete and has allowed them to remain competitive in the Copa del Rey. Based on yesterday’s match, they are also very much alive in the Europa League. It’s a highly demanding game. If some players rest who played yesterday, others who are surely ready will step up. Imanol is doing an incredible job, but what’s important is that we play a good game, believing in what we need to do, capitalizing on our strengths, and refining our flaws to secure the three points.»
To link these crucial two victories, we must start by winning on Sunday: «It depends on us. We’ve been very close but haven’t been able to do it yet. The other day we had a very demanding match in Vallecas and competed to earn a point in a very difficult field. We have to focus on the Real Sociedad now. If we secure the three points, then we can think about Athletic Club. Our current standing is well-deserved, and we hope to earn the right to compete and fight for important things. It all depends on us. When there are four or five matchdays left, we will see where we can go as a team.»
For this, it’s important to dominate both areas more effectively: «We create enough chances to score more goals. Additionally, we need to be more solid defensively. The other day, we conceded a stunning goal from outside the box. If you allow a Primera player to do that, they might hit the target. We make serious mistakes, like the goal we conceded against Mallorca when we were close to victory. Many times, the goals we’ve conceded have been due to our errors. It all comes down to being much stronger at the back and naturally being more efficient in front of goal because we create enough opportunities to score more.»
«Lokonga completed the training session, and we hope he can help us on Sunday»
Regarding individual players, he mentioned Carmona’s pre-call-up for Spain: «It was a pleasant surprise. He’s having a phenomenal season, performing excellently, earned his starting spot, and is doing very well. He’s very young, performed well with the U-21s, and has earned the right to be important for Spain. If he’s been pre-called up, it’s because De la Fuente has seen something in him. Hopefully, he’ll be included in the squad because he deserves it, and it would make us all happy. I encourage him to keep growing and improving because he has a lot of potential. Let this boost him to continue progressing.»
Adams is also on Nigeria’s preliminary list: «He has been working with the rehab specialist. He needs to undergo tests to see if he will be available next week. To join the national team, he must have the medical clearance. However, that depends on the Medical Services. It’s understandable that his national team wants to call him up, but I believe he needs to recover well first.»
Returning to Real Sociedad and the demands of their schedule, he mentioned that «Imanol will have to rotate. They will likely make changes due to injuries and to give playing time to other deserving players. If they played the same players, they would be more fatigued, but there will be fresh faces for rotation. It depends on us to match the game’s intensity and Real’s requirements, regardless of whether they played yesterday. They have a squad to compete in three competitions, and that’s why they are doing so well.»
«We must rise to the occasion of the game and Real Sociedad’s demands»
Regarding Vargas, he stated that «winter signings don’t usually work out so well, but Rubén has been a blessing due to the deficit we had and his adaptation. He has integrated well into the team and is performing at an excellent level. He has earned the right to play, and we expect more from him in terms of goals, as he creates a lot in attack, scored a great goal against Barcelona, and let’s see if he can take that extra step to help us in the goal-scoring department, but he’s the perfect winter signing. We are very pleased with the performance he’s delivering.»
To conclude, he mentioned the retirement of former Sevilla player Álvaro Negredo: «It’s been a pleasure to have had a player like Negredo in Spain and here at Sevilla. He is currently doing his coaching internship, and we hope his coaching career will be as successful as his playing career. We will support him in any way we can.»
