Real Sociedad vs Granada CF preview - Arrasate: We're fighting for fifth

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2014 by PA

A Champions League berth may now be beyond them but Real Sociedad coach Jagoba Arrasate insists his side still have plenty to play for over the final weeks of the season - despite what his Granada counterpart Lucas Alcaraz may think.

Athletic Bilbao's win at Rayo Vallecano on Friday means sixth-placed Sociedad can no longer catch their Basque rivals in the race for fourth spot and ends their bid of playing in Europe's elite club competition for a second successive year.

That situation has led Granada boss Alcaraz to suggest Sociedad - who have already secured a Europa League spot for next season - have little to play for going into Monday night's clash between the two at Anoeta, but Arrasate says that is far from the truth.

"I've read Alcaraz's comments but we're playing for a lot, and it shows every day in the dressing room. Fifth place is very important for us," said Arrasate.

If Sociedad, who started the weekend two points below Sevilla, finish fifth they would enter the Europa League group stages directly and not have to go through qualifying or the play-offs.

"It's true that we've got a Europa League place tied up, which is important, and after tomorrow we want to have sixth place tied up. And if we can get to fifth place then so much the better, but we need to win our games," added Arrasate

By saying Sociedad had little to play for, Alcaraz was not suggesting the Basque side would be an easy touch on Monday night.

In fact, the point he was trying to make was just the opposite and a warning to his relegation-battling side.

He said: "Real Sociedad will be as difficult as if they were playing for something, not having a big objective to fulfil takes away the demands but gives you freedom."

Granada head into the match having lost five of their last six matches and just two points above the drop zone.

However, they still have their destiny in their own hands as, after their trip to Sociedad, they face relegation rivals Almeria and Real Valladolid in their final two games.

Alcaraz added: "We know the results that we need and we only depend on ourselves. We're looking at other results, but they aren't going to change much with regards what we need."