Real Sociedad vice president Mikel Ubarretxena is aware of ‘Roma and José Mourinho’s worth’ but seems pleased with the outcome of the Europa League Round of 16 draw as the La Liga side ‘wanted to avoid Manchester United.’
The Giallorossi will face the Spanish team in the Europa League Round of 16. The first match is in Rome on March 9, with the second leg in Spain one week later.
Vice president Ubarretxena seems pleased with the result of the draw although he admitted that Roma are a ‘high-level team.’
“We’ve never faced them, but we know much Roma and Mourinho are worth,” he told Movistar TV, as quoted by El Desmarque.
“It will be an open tie, we have some chances and I am optimistic. We’ll face a strong team who eliminated Salzburg and are third in their league.
“We are recovering a few players slowly. Oyarzabal’s return is very important for us. I hope the team will be complete and competitive,” continued the club’s vice president.
“There aren’t easy opponents at this stage, but clearly we wanted to avoid Manchester United, the most in-form team in Europe at the moment. The general level is very high, similar to the Champions League.
“We need a good game in Rome, before the second leg in Spain.”
Real Sociedad won their Europa League group so they were among the seeded teams in the draw on Friday. For this reason, they will play the second leg away. Manchester United eliminated Barcelona in the knock-out play-off and will face Betis Sevilla in the Round of 16.