Hidalgo says Real have « many variations » since Matarazzo’s arrival

“Since Matarazzo’s arrival, Real have many variations and can do different things.” Ahead of the meeting with Real Sociedad, Antonio Hidalgo pointed to the range of his opponents’ play as he looks for ways to reshape his own team. He discussed those issues at the press conference before the match in Donostia.

The Deportivo de A Coruña coach has several absences to manage, including Aubameyang, who is due to undergo surgery on his meniscus, as well as Zaka and Casadó. Hidalgo said he had been considering how to reorganise his side since learning about those unavailable players. He also said Eddahchouri would be out for several weeks after injuring his wrist and that he could not play with a splint.

For Hidalgo, the challenge is to find a setup that suits the available players and allows them to operate in different positions. “It is essential that a player understands the position he is playing and can contribute to the team,” he said, adding that his side had several options it had already been able to use on many occasions.

His assessment of Real underlines the scale of the task. In his view, the team has considerable attacking potential: it can bring players inside, move the ball from one side to the other and call on players who can make a difference in the final third. Hidalgo believes his team will have to be very solid without the ball to counter those options. He knows Real’s level and how difficult they are to beat, a few months after playing against Sanse at Zubieta.

The coach also says he has alternatives in most positions. Up front, he named Nsongo, who scored last season at Zubieta against Sanse, with a goal that helped secure promotion. Adapting to the absences and finding a way to contain Real’s attacking variety are therefore among the main challenges discussed ahead of the match.