Imanol Alguacil praises Real Sociedad for securing “just and deserved” victory

The Basque side opened their European campaign with a 2-2 draw at PSV before drawing 1-1 with Monaco in San Sebastian. Strum Graz lost their opener 1-0 to Monaco in the south of France before taking a 4-1 beating at home to PSV. Monaco beat PSV 2-1 in the Netherlands in the other fixture of the evening.

Domestically, La Real are also flying this term. They’re top of La Liga, three points clear of second placed Real Madrid – albeit with a game played more. They play Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The decisive goal of the game came in the 69th minute, through one of the most talented youngsters in Spanish football in Alexander Isak. The Swede has two goals from two Europa League appearances so far this season and is one to watch.

“It’s not easy to avoid giving away chances,” La Real coach Imanol Alguacil said post-match in comments carried by Marca. “They tend to create them at home – they go direct after winning the ball – and so it was very important to manage the game and, except for a couple of misjudgements, we did that well.

“It’s true that we struggled to score. We had very good chances in the first and, above all, the second half, but we lacked the ability to score [more than once]. But the important thing is that the team has earned themselves a just and deserved victory.”