MADRID, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad faces a vital fortnight due to play the Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League play-offs for a place in the last-16.
Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil reserved several key players as his side worked hard to beat relegation-threatened Espanyol on Sunday. Takefusa Kubo, Brais Mendez, Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Zubeldia, Ander Barrenetxea, and Aihen Munoz all started on the bench, although Mendez came on as a second-half substitute to score the winning goal.
The San Sebastian team needs fresh legs to reach the Europa League last 16. Real Sociedad has also reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, meaning it has been playing two games a week since the start of the year.
The effects of that are clear to see in La Liga, because although Imanol's side is currently seventh with 31 points from 23 games, it has suffered 10 defeats and has scored just 20 goals.
Only Getafe, along with relegation-threatened Leganes and Valladolid have scored fewer goals in La Liga.
Real Sociedad's defense has also been miserly with just 20 goals conceded so far.
Midtjylland, currently second in the Danish league, is in its winter break and has not played domestic football since the start of December.
Although Real Sociedad is the favorite against the Danish team, it will have to contend with some freezing temperatures in the MCH Arena, and the Midtjylland players have been carrying out some of their team-building exercises in preparation for the tie in snow, camping out and trekking in difficult conditions. ■
