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“Barcelona are a team that put you under a lot of pressure; we have to change to be effective,” Gorka Álvarez said. The Real Sociedad coach is preparing his side for a match against the Catalan club this weekend, following the international break.
The pause provided more time for day-to-day work, Álvarez explained. It also allowed the team to introduce new ideas, reinforce what had been working and speak individually with the players about what was effective. But the opponent calls for particular thought: Álvarez suggested his side might have to move away from its usual model to adapt to Barcelona’s players.
The coach highlighted his opponent’s ability to keep evolving. “Barcelona have been the dominant side in the competition in recent years, and at European level too,” he said, pointing to the team’s regular adjustments and its use of young players. In his view, the club continues to develop its ideas and apply them in different ways.
The challenge also follows last season’s victory over the Catalan side, which has set a high bar. Álvarez’s immediate task is to find the necessary adjustments while keeping the focus on being effective.
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