Suara.com – Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil asked his players to be wary of Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) dead ball scheme when the two teams meet in the second leg of the Champions League at the Reale Arena Stadium, San Sebastian, Wednesday (6/3/2024 ) early morning WIB.
Quoted by Antara from Football Espana, Tuesday, Alguacil explained that his team had often conceded from set pieces in the last few matches, including in the first leg against PSG.
“You can train something, having them see on the board or video what the opponent is going to do even with signs, but then if the player is distracted and doesn't do what he has to do, that is the player's responsibility,” explained Alguacil.
Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo. (JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
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“There are several things that need to be improved and corrected, it is clear that we are now conceding a lot because we have been solid in defense before,” he continued.
The Spanish coach added that he asked his team to show their personality again, just like when they visited Paris.
Alguacil hopes that Real Sociedad can score first in the match, although this cannot be a benchmark for determining the final result.
He reiterated that one of the keys to qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League is not conceding in the match.
“I'm sure that if the team behaves like the first hour of the first leg, they can score the first goal and equalize, and turn things around with our players,” said Alguacil.
“I say this not only because I think about it, but because we did it there. We played one on one with all the PSG players and we were able to excel. To win we had to play like the first hour there,” he added.
“If we do that, then it will be easier. It will make us even more forget where we come from. This is a special and different match, obviously,” he concluded.
In the next match, Real Sociedad must win by a margin of three goals over PSG to qualify for the round of 16 after losing in the first leg with a score of 0-2.