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Sociedad’s Imanol has ‘no doubts’ about Europa League last-32 hopes
PARIS, Dec 9, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil believes
his side can reach the knockout stages of the Europa League for just the
second time in 20 years despite a dip in form which has dropped them from the
top of La Liga.
The Basques head to Napoli on Thursday and will book a place in the last 32
if they match Alkmaar’s result at winless Rijeka.
Imanol’s men ceded first place in the Spanish top-flight with Sunday’s 0-0
stalemate at Alaves, their fourth straight draw since beating Cadiz on
November 22.
“We are a bit hurt, for not having won. In the team no one has doubts,
neither do I, that we are capable of winning,” said Imanol, the former
second-team boss in his third season in charge.
His side are the top scorers in La Liga but captain Mikel Oyarzabal, who
has contributed seven of those 22 goals, is unlikely to feature for the trip
to Italy after sustaining a muscle injury in the draw against Rijeka last
week.
“I have my doubts, perhaps it would be risking too much, let’s see,” Imanol
said.
On a positive note for Imanol, ex-Manchester City midfielder David Silva
could return after pulling out of the weekend’s trip to Alaves just before
kick-off with a fitness issue.
“He said he was ready to play, but in the warm-up he did not feel
comfortable, something that we had planned, and we decided not to take risks
and wait for Thursday,” he said.
– Zielinski the dancer –
Napoli will advance from Group F if they avoid defeat. Gennaro Gattuso’s
team have lost just twice in eight games since the start of November.
On Sunday, Diego Maradona’s former side hammered Crotone 4-0 as Piotr
Zielinski added a third assist of the campaign.
Despite the midfielder’s efforts, Gattuso said the Pole needs to improve in
front of goal, after scoring just once in 10 matches this term.
“He has great quality and dances with the ball. To become a great player he
needs to add seven or eight goals a season. He has the ability to do so,”
said Gattuso.
Going into the last round of matches, 18 of the 24 places in the next round
are already locked up but in addition to the three-way battle in Group F,
eight other teams enter the final night of the round battling for
qualificaltion.
Among them are two-time winners Feyenoord, Swiss league leaders Young Boys
and Turkish club Sivasspor who could make their first appearances in the
knockout stages in Europe.
Qarabag’s trip to Villarreal has been postponed as the visitors are unable
to field a side due to numerous cases of Covid-19 within their squad.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0942 hrs