Amorim: We might have ended up with an even worse result against Sociedad. 2025

 

Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, the current manager of Manchester United, shared his thoughts on the 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in Spain, which took place on Thursday in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. Speaking at a press conference following the match, which was held at the Reale Arena in the Basque region of Spain, Amorim explained that while the result was a fair reflection of the game, it leaves the tie still open, and the final decision on which team will progress to the quarterfinals will be made in the second leg at Old Trafford.

Amorim remarked that despite the draw, Manchester United had the potential to have achieved a better outcome in the first leg, yet he also acknowledged that things could have been worse. He cited the physical fatigue that started to show in his players during the final 20 minutes of the match as one of the contributing factors to the result. "The team could have done better," Amorim said, "but it could also have been worse, especially considering the exhaustion that became evident in the last part of the match." This fatigue was particularly noticeable as the players seemed to lose their sharpness in the closing stages of the game, which could be attributed to the intense schedule and the travel demands of playing away in Spain.

The draw has left the tie finely poised, and the final outcome will be determined when both teams meet again next Thursday at Old Trafford in Manchester for the second leg. The stakes are high, as Manchester United is keen to make a strong push for the quarterfinals, a stage they have not reached in the Europa League since the 2022-2023 season. For the English giants, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of Europe’s second-tier competition would be a significant achievement, given the pressure they are under to restore their status among Europe’s elite clubs.

On the other hand, Real Sociedad is equally determined to advance to the next round, as they look to break a 36-year absence from the quarterfinals of the Europa League. The last time the Basque side reached this stage of the competition was in the 1988-1989 season, making this year’s campaign all the more significant for the club. Real Sociedad has shown a lot of resilience in European competitions over the years, and this season, they are eager to make a deep run in the tournament.

Ultimately, the tie remains wide open, with both teams having their own motivations and ambitions. For Manchester United, the challenge will be to manage their squad and maintain their fitness levels in order to finish the job at Old Trafford. For Real Sociedad, the hope is to continue their historic campaign and secure a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in over three decades. The second leg promises to be an exciting and crucial match for both sides.