The Real Sociedad coach, Imanol, offered bold remarks this Friday about Elche CF as a challenger, noting that like the rest of La Liga, the Elche side is hardworking, bold on the court, and capable of playing with confidence at home. That was the assessment of the San Sebastian coach ahead of Saturday’s 5:30 pm clash at the Anoeta stadium.
He added that Elche’s squad moves the ball quickly when pressed and stays compact defensively, piling pressure through their wings and central lines. If given time to organize, they show quality and the ability to test any opponent, a point he underscored during the pre-match press conference.
During the briefing in San Sebastian, the coach also touched on a surprising move in the football world: a high-profile transfer involving Alex Isak to Newcastle for 70 million euros, plus five add-ons and a 10% stake in a future sale.
“I prefer to speak about the players themselves. We owe gratitude to Isak for all he has delivered during his time with us, three years marked by his contribution,” said the coach of Real Sociedad, noting that the club welcomed Isak’s exit calmly as it coincided with a peak moment for Real.
He stressed that the upcoming match would not be the first without Isak, given that long spells out had been due to injuries and other factors. Still, he pointed out that Isak’s success has been supported by a strong team around him, enabling him to reach notable milestones.
Looking ahead, the coach avoided naming potential substitutes for the Swedish striker and instead focused on the players available to him, expressing a clear desire that whoever starts tomorrow will perform well and help secure the result. The plan, he said, is to work with what the squad currently has and maximize every option the tactical system provides.
On the other hand, Jon Karrikaburu and Mohamed Ali were not drafted as direct replacements for Isak. The discussion centered on adapting to the tactical richness of the team, which offers multiple variables to win the game, according to San Sebastian’s manager.