Aniket Rai
Real Sociedad official unhappy with UEFA for giving Manchester United advantage in Europa League tie
According to Manchester Evening News, Real Sociedad Director of Football Roberto Olabe is unhappy with UEFA for not changing the venue of their round-of-32 second-leg tie against Manchester United in the Europa League.
The venue of the first leg, of course, has been moved. The tie will take place in Turin, Italy, instead of Sociedad’s Anoeta Stadium in Spain.
The venue of the reverse leg is unchanged and will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester. This, for Olabe, is an unfair advantage for the Red Devils.
He wants the venue to be changed and moved to a neutral ground. If not that, the Sociedad official says he would not mind a one-legged tie like last year.
“I would like the return to be also on a neutral ground or for UEFA to appoint a single venue for a one-game tie as it did last year.”
Old Trafford the venue for second leg
Olabe says that it is not ‘coherent’ for them to play the home leg in a neutral ground. However, he believes his side are good enough to spring a surprise.
“I think we can eliminate them. However, Manchester United have one of the most complete squads in the world, with an exceptional level of players.”
United entered the competition by third in their UEFA Champions League group. Sociedad, on the other hand, finished 2nd in Group F of the Europa League, behind Napoli.
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The first leg of the Round of 32 takes place on 18th February, with the reverse leg being held in England 8 days later.
