Mikel Merino is the only representative of Real Sociedad in the senior team. Before leaving for Las Rozas, the Navarrese midfielder analyzed the good league start of the txuri-urdin team.
I imagine that they are happy with these six points with which they reach the paron …
Very happy. We wanted to continue with the good dynamics, so beating Levante with a clean sheet was ideal. It is important because we show that we have the concepts there and that on the first day we were not at all fine. Now days to rest from the league and we do it with a good taste in our mouths.
The best news is that victories are being achieved while waiting for that best version of the Real to arrive?
Of course. It is unthinkable that on the third day a team is 100%. We have been finding each game better, personally the capacity of the legs and the lung capacity are increasing. That is the best sign, to improve and grow little by little. Last year we always needed to play well to win, now we are growing and winning, but above all we are taking giant steps in understanding the games, and that is shown in knowing in which situations you should risk more and in having left a clean sheet in two games winning only 1-0, with a feeling of defensive solidity in low block or high block. That is experience of playing for years together.
And how important to get strong at home! They add five games in a row in Anoeta without losing …
Fundamental. We know that our home must be a place where rivals must come to suffer, we have to become strong in our field, and now with the people on our side it has to be a plus of motivation and strength. And taking the points here, I am convinced that the way we play, we will score a lot of points, because we are a team that wants to take the initiative.
How do you rate having left a clean sheet in two straight games in such a competitive league?
It is a great merit for us to leave a clean sheet, because we risk and expose a lot. Each clean sheet has enormous value, the work that the defenders, our goalkeeper, and the rest of the team are doing is a union work, that intention to defend all together and to learn different ways of defending depending on how they attack you . And that's how points are generated, because we know that we have the quality to score goals, and not receiving will always give us more options to win games, just because of our insistence on playing well.
How do you rate the group that you have received in the Europa League?
It is a group with teams of many levels, we will have very competitive and complicated matches. Last year we also had a tough group and I am always optimistic, because I know what I have at home and what my teammates are capable of. It is a Champions level group, but it is what we like, competing against the best and showing that if we are there it is for something, and we are going to enjoy this new European experience wanting to compete against everyone. I'm happy with the group, it's going to be a very nice experience, and I think that with what we did last year, it will be very good for this one.
He returns to the Absolute after not being able to go to the Eurocup due to his back injury …
Great news for me. I'm very happy. I am very excited to be back in that select group of players with such a great level. And wanting to continue improving and growing, learning from my colleagues and Luis Enrique. It is always a pride to be there, I hope to give it a go and show what I am capable of. And represent the Real well.
What impression has Sorloth left on you in your early days at the Royal?
Alex has been at Real for a few days, obviously we have not seen enough to be able to judge him, but in the few training sessions he has been with us and in the game against Levante he has left very good things. It is seen to go is a very strong and tall guy, who does very well in the head, who competes and fights. But we have also seen a couple of actions that with the ball at his feet he is able to turn and associate. And that in a boy as tall as him, it's hard to see. He can give us a different record, playing alone or with someone at his side in attack. Imanol is going to be an important piece because it gives him variations in the line-ups and the games. I think he is adapting very well, like all the kids that come up from below.