Martín Lasarte: “Atlético de Madrid is much more than Kun Agüero and Forlán”
“They have other strong points and important footballers”
Martín Lasarte, manager of Real Sociedad, is very clear that Atlético de Madrid is going to be a dangerous opponent at Anoeta. The head coach highlighted that “Atlético isn’t just Agüero and Forlán, it’s an important team with lots of pieces, with two strikers, wings who play on the opposite side… Perhaps they’re the most well-known. One thing is talent and another is individual quality. They have those things. But they have other strong points, other important footballers. Atlético is upredictable because they don’t have a classic centre forward. This team has other different codes. In addition to Forlán and Agüero, they have other outlets. Forlán has an incredible shot and can score with both feet from outside the area and inside.”
The Uruguayan manager of Real acknowledged that “I had Godín as a player and I spoke with him after his recent operation. I don’t know Forlán but he’s a footballer who’s earned it.”
With the visit of Atlético de Madrid, the footballing atmosphere in San Sebastian will be high voltage. “There’s a special feeling; different. It’s one of those matches that makes you realize that you’re already there because of the expectation it generates. It’s a game that motivates you and which creates lots of things in the stands.”
The head coach of the ‘txuri urdin’ is optimistic with respect to his team. “I think the team is growing, some players are moving up, ad the challenge is to be able to reach levels similar to those achieved before in Anoeta. In any case, I think that we’re going to keep suffering because our opponents also play. I don’t sugarcoat things and this is the reality. There will be matches that we’ll win playing well and others that we’ll win playing poorly. It forms part of the game.”
It was mentioned that Atlético hasn’t won in San Sebastian in 19 years and has never on at Anoeta. “Hopefully we’ll keep that streak alive. Atlético has an above-average level. Atlético changes directions well and a good direct attack. We’re not going to stop pressuring teams because it causes mistakes. The thing to decide is where we’re going to do it. If they come out playing from the back, we’ll pressure them up high, like in other matches.”
To finish, he believes that his team can’t get into a back-and-forth exchange of blows. “In general, back-and-forth games don’t go our way. With certain teams, sure, but in general no.”
The Uruguayan manager of Real acknowledged that “I had Godín as a player and I spoke with him after his recent operation. I don’t know Forlán but he’s a footballer who’s earned it.”
With the visit of Atlético de Madrid, the footballing atmosphere in San Sebastian will be high voltage. “There’s a special feeling; different. It’s one of those matches that makes you realize that you’re already there because of the expectation it generates. It’s a game that motivates you and which creates lots of things in the stands.”
The head coach of the ‘txuri urdin’ is optimistic with respect to his team. “I think the team is growing, some players are moving up, ad the challenge is to be able to reach levels similar to those achieved before in Anoeta. In any case, I think that we’re going to keep suffering because our opponents also play. I don’t sugarcoat things and this is the reality. There will be matches that we’ll win playing well and others that we’ll win playing poorly. It forms part of the game.”
It was mentioned that Atlético hasn’t won in San Sebastian in 19 years and has never on at Anoeta. “Hopefully we’ll keep that streak alive. Atlético has an above-average level. Atlético changes directions well and a good direct attack. We’re not going to stop pressuring teams because it causes mistakes. The thing to decide is where we’re going to do it. If they come out playing from the back, we’ll pressure them up high, like in other matches.”
To finish, he believes that his team can’t get into a back-and-forth exchange of blows. “In general, back-and-forth games don’t go our way. With certain teams, sure, but in general no.”
