The ‘txuri-urdin’ captain, on the eve of Cyprus-Spain, highlighted the majority presence of realistic players in the ‘Roja’
MADRID, Nov. 15 (.) –
International midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal confessed that he “learned” about his body and the profession of footballer with the rupture of his cruciate ligament, and highlighted that there were five Real Sociedad players with the national team, on the eve of Cyprus-Spain, corresponding to the ninth and penultimate day of the qualifying phase for the Euro 2024 in Germany.
“‘Ima’ [Alguacil] If he has defended it, it is because he feels it and because he believes that he has the best that he can have. That speaks to the fact that the club is growing, and that people from outside are giving value to what the players are doing. The more that come from Real, the better for the club and for us,” Oyarzabal said at a press conference.
The ‘txuri-urdin’ captain thus referred to the call-up of Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Robin Le Normand and debutant Álex Remiro for the away matches against Cyprus and at home against Georgia, at the José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid. They will be the last two in a phase of access to the Euro Cup for which the ‘Red’ already has its ticket.
“There are players who can be selectable because they are having a great year. It is positive that in the end from the outside what is done at Real is taken into account. Whether they come or not is the coach’s decision, but if they don’t, let them continue.” working as before,” insisted the San Sebastian midfielder.
Regarding the differences between his coach, Imanol Alguacil, and the national coach, Luis de la Fuente, he said that the realistic coach “expresses himself more” on the field and De la Fuente “is a calmer guy.” “Each one is as he is. In football there are many similarities in the way of putting pressure and taking away time from the rival,” he noted.
On the other hand, he alluded to the long injury that had kept him off the pitch. “I think that every process takes time and it has been difficult for me. I have continued working when things did not go as expected and the people around me supported me. I have noticed confidence to continue pushing and luckily I am here today. We have to continue in that line of continuing to work and giving everything,” he commented.
He admitted that the injury process has “helped him a lot”, although he would not like to go through that ordeal again. “You have two ways of living it and I chose the positive side. It is a process that I have enjoyed a lot. I have learned about my body and the profession, and I was able to do things that normally you cannot, such as being with my family,” Oyarzabal stressed. .
The captain of Real Sociedad would advise young people to do the double of the Euro Cup and the Olympic Games, just as he enjoyed in the past. “Personally, he would tell them that if they can go, they should go to both. There are two competitions, especially one of them [los Juegos], which you only live once in a lifetime. You can play more than one of the Euro Cup. “If I had to choose, I would choose to go again,” he noted.
He expressed his gratitude to De la Fuente for the “trust” that he has shown in the under-21 and senior teams, and expressed his desire to remain in Real, his usual team, despite the good moment he had. It can open up other options in the Spanish League or in Premier League clubs.
“I am happy where I am. I am in the team that I have been since I was little. The situation has changed and the club is growing, and with it, the players. Since I arrived everything has been very positive. I am happy and surrounded by my family, little I can ask for more,” he said.
In his opinion, Spain is in “constant growth.” “The Euro Cup was a great competition in which we were very close to achieving something. In the World Cup, I was unlucky to experience it from home. Now there is hope for the Euro Cup because the team is working well and is confident of doing a great job. tournament,” Oyarzabal said.
