Champions League Playoff: Real Sociedad vs Lyon Match Preview
Real Sociedad appear to be in the right mindset to reproduce the form that caught the attention of the Spanish league system last season. Only this time, they will be able to showcase their football on the European stage, should they manage to overcome Lyon and make it to the group stage. Jagoba Arrasate has a tough task to handle following taking over the team’s helm from Philippe Montanier, but so far so good for the team from San Sebastian.
The omens look good for La Real, who take a two-goal lead into their own stadium. However, the bout is not over, according to midfielder David Zurutuza.
“Well they are not at their best level and that we must seize that. It will not be an easy game because they have nothing to lose and will put everything they have from the beginning, so we have to take the pitch in good spirits and, if we can score an early goal to make the tie difficult for them and put them in a tough position”, he explained.
A dark horse in editions of yesteryear, Lyon will need to pull off their best match in a while when they travel to the Basque country and meet Real Sociedad in the return leg of their Champions League playoff tie. Lyon need to score at least two goals to be in with a chance of qualifying for the group stages of this term’s competition. However, given the way things went in favour of Sociedad during the first leg, Remi Garde’s side will be in for a tough night.
Real Sociedad might have been impressive in France, but Lyon schemer Clement Grenier believes that his side have what it takes to get back in the game, even at the Anoeta stadium.
“We cannot talk about the nightmare [of not qualifying] right now. This tie is not finished, there is a return match in the Champions League and even though we lost at home it is only the beginning of the season. We will recover”, declared the French international.
What: Champions League Playoff Round
Who: Real Sociedad (2) vs Lyon (0) – first leg score in brackets
When: Wednesday 28th August, 2013, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Anoeta, San Sebastian, Spain
