Arrasate hoping for instant retribution after Villarreal hammering

Real Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate has labelled the 5-1 defeat to Villarreal on Monday night as ‘his worst day as coach of the club’. The good news for the recently appointed boss however is that his side have the chance to get revenge over Villarreal this Thursday in the Copa del Rey.

Sociedad slumped to the uncharacteristic defeat after previously enjoying a series of games without defeat. The corner looked to have been turned after their weak Champions League exit but they met Villarreal in imperious mood.

The Yellow Submarine jumped past their rivals for the Champions League and into 5th place with the win, courtesy of goals from Uche (2), Giovanni dos Santos (2) and another from Mois Gomez. Dos Santos was a revelation as he created the two chances for Uche to score, showing the talent we all to rarely saw on display at Barcelona and Spurs.

But Arrasate’s side have a chance to get revenge over Villarreal on Thursday in the Copa del Rey, a match the Sociedad boss knows he needs to prepare his players for.

“We’re very annoyed,” Arrasate explained. “This cannot be the image that Real Sociedad portrays in such an important match and against a direct rival. We have to get our act together. Sure, you can experience impotent games at places like the Camp Nou or the Bernabéu, but nothing like this, because this is a theoretically equal opponent.

“We came into this game in very good shape, but what we’ve shown is that if we drop our guard just a little, we can’t do anything against a great team like Villarreal. If we’re not intense, aggressive or tight enough, the difference between the two teams is clear enough for all to see.”

With the tie sitting at 0-0 after the first leg at the Anoeta, Sociedad need just a score draw to progress and eliminate Villarreal. It’d be the perfect revenge not long after suffering their humiliation at the hands of the same opponents. Although better revenge would be to finish above Villarreal and claim one of those European spots.

However, Sociedad could have an easier task thanks to the performance of dos Santos on Monday. Villarreal could rest the star forward and not risk him getting injured which will be a massive relief for La Real.

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