Diego Rico knows the importance of Real Sociedad topping the group as they face Man United
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Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 goals against Real Sociedad in his career but never scored at the Spanish club’s stadium – former Bournemouth defender Diego Rico plans to keep it that way tonight.
Manchester United’s visit has been called the biggest European game in the club’s recent history and if Real Sociedad avoid a two-goal defeat they will lead the group and go straight to the last-16.
“I think he’s the same Ronaldo as always,” Rico says when told that marking the 37-year-old isn’t the job it once was.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 times against Real Sociedad, but never in his own country
Diego Rico (pictured) plans to keep it that way if he faces Ronaldo in the Europa League
“He can score a goal against you from any type of cross or shot from anywhere. We have to be very focused on him and on all their players.”
The last time Real faced Sociedad United in Europe was in February 2021 and the pandemic restrictions on flights entering Spain from England were still a few weeks away from the lifting.
The ‘home’ leg for Real Sociedad was won 4-0 behind closed doors in Turin by United.
United have already lost this campaign to Real Sociedad’s LaLiga side in the Europa League
Rico arrived at ‘La Real’ that summer and he has been one of the reasons why coach Imanol Alguacil has been able to make his team stronger.
They still play the silky smooth football, but they are rarely bullied now – and a 100 per cent record in the Europa League this season illustrates that.
Under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, Rico’s move to England did not go as he had hoped.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and the advice he gave me,” he says of Howe.
“He gave me my Premier League debut, I would have liked to have had the opportunity to play more, but you have to respect the coach’s decisions. And at Newcastle he is now showing what he is capable of.”
Perhaps no one was happier when Rico returned than Javier, his three-year-old younger brother.
Under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, Rico’s move to England didn’t go as he had hoped
“He suffers from two syndromes,” explains Diego. “He was born with a misaligned spine and the doctors told him he would remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.
“But he fought that and his spine has been corrected with various treatments, a lot of time in the pool and a lot of fighting.
“Nothing is more precious than to see my brother, who was told to spend his whole life in bed as he is now.”
Javier will be at the Reale Arena tonight and he will be looking for a photo or two after the game. “He goes to all my games,” Diego says. And after the games he keeps asking for pictures.
“He has pictures of himself with all my teammates, the players I’ve played against, famous and not so famous.”
Tonight will be no different. When asked whose shirt Rico is looking for at the end of the 90 minutes, he says: ‘De Gea, Casemiro, Rashford or Ronaldo. They are all world class players but I change with every United player and it will be for my brother anyway.”
Did Javier make a special request? “I’m sure he would like De Gea or Ronaldo. Let’s see if he’s lucky.”
On the field, the left-back can find Rico Antony, and every 360-degree turn decides to use who poses a more direct threat.
No one was happier when Rico returned to Real Sociedad than his brother Javier (pictured)
“Every player should be able to do whatever they want on the pitch as long as they don’t hurt their opponent,” he says of the controversy that followed the weekend trick.
“That’s the way he plays and he won’t change no matter how much he criticizes him. And if the pass goes off after that, it’s even more harmless.’
Beating Ronaldo and Anthony tonight and finishing at the top of the group will be another indication of how Real Sociedad are tipped in Spain to become the new third force behind the big two.
“Well, let’s win this game first,” he says. “We still haven’t achieved anything.”
Underlining the importance of a first-place finish, he added: “It’s not just having to play second against a team that has dropped out of the Champions League, it’s having to play two more games and with the workload that’s going on.” we have, that’s important. at.’
The many appearances before the World Cup have already left Real Sociedad with a long list of injuries to attacking players, including Spain captain and international Mikel Oyarzabal, David Silva, Japan international Take Kubo and the most expensive signing ever Umar Sadiq.
But that doesn’t mean they will park the Basque bus tonight and take advantage of the fact that they don’t need the win. “No, no, the goal is to win,” Rico says. “We have to play our own game and go after them.”