Real Sociedad vs Almeria preview - Martinez wants improvement

Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez admits his team need to improve on their overall performances, despite their recent knack for turning results around.

The Basques overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Real Madrid 4-2 in their second game of the season and last weekend salvaged a point from their trip to Celta Vigo, despite trailing the Galicians by two goals with little over 20 minutes remaining.

However, Martinez stressed that his side need to focus on retaining the ball and attacking rather than spending large parts of the game trying to quell threats from the opposition.

He told a press conference: "It's true that there are moments in the games when our opponents dominate us, we realise things aren't going well so we sit back and defend. There are some teams that like playing that way but not us, we have enough quality players to keep the ball and that should be our objective."

La Real are unbeaten since their opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Eibar, but Martinez recognised the importance of beating Almeria on Sunday in order to ascend the table.

"Four points out of six is good for us, especially when it meant beating Real Madrid and then getting a point away to a team as good as Celta," he said.

"But now we are playing at home, we want to get the three points against Almeria."

Coach Jagoba Arrasate has all four of his strikers available for the visit of Almeria, with last season's top scorer Carlos Vela and new signing Alfred Finnbogason returning from injury.

Almeria have picked up just two points so far this season and coach Francisco Javier Rodriguez recognises his side are facing their toughest opponents to date but did not rule causing an upset.

He told reporters: "La Real are going to demand a lot of us, possibly more than our last three opponents (Espanyol, Getafe and Cordoba).

"But we've worked hard throughout the week, we believe in our chances and we are ready to put in a good performance. If we perform well we can surprise them."

With the exception of the injured veteran midfielder Corona, Rodriguez has a full squad to choose from.