In our conversation with Nerea Eizagirre, Real Sociedad's captain, she delves into the tactics of facing Barcelona, highlighting a strategy that combines staunch defense with the chance for swift counter-attacks against the renowned team. Eizagirre lauds Barcelona's key players, particularly Aitana Bonmatí, while also sharing her aspirations for Real Sociedad's participation in European tournaments. Eizagirre shares her goals and the thrill of competing at the Reale Arena.
How do you approach the game against Barça?
"Well, we know it’s going to be a tough game because we know Barcelona is the best team in the world, they have really good players. But at the same time, it’s just 3 points more in the league. We’ll try to play our best game possible whilst being conscious about the fact that on Wednesday we have another important game, the return leg of the Copa de la Reina. I think it’s going to be important for the whole team to undertake the game in the best way possible."
And what’s the secret to winning against Barcelona? Is there one?
"I wouldn’t be able to tell you if there’s one, in my time there’s been very few teams that have been able to do it. I would say it’s important to defend well and perhaps on the counter, when they expect it the least, attack and be able to score a goal and the important is to defend really well. In the end, they’re really good, so defending against them is difficult."
Whom do you think are their most differential players?
"It would be difficult to just say one, Aitana’s the best and she’s at a tremendous level, Graham is also an influential player who gives Barça a lot. And then players like Patri or Mariona, players that generate the team play and if they’re well then, the team is well. They’re two players that perhaps don’t get as much attention, perhaps they’re not focused on as much, but for me, Patri and Mariona are two spectacular players.
"If you could sign any of them for La Real, who would you sign?
"Well, I think that now Aitana. She’s at a very high level, she’s a player that does everything really well - defends well, attacks well, can score goals, she’s also a great passer. She’s a very complete player."
Do you think Real Sociedad can get into the UWCL in the short term?
"Well, I think this year it’s proving a bit more difficult, we’ve dropped some points that we shouldn’t have dropped, but it’s always an objective to be as high as possible. I’m not sure if this year we’ll be able to achieve it, but let’s hope that in the future we can go back to being in the UWCL like we were a couple of years ago."
The WSL, the NWSL, the Bundesliga, D1 Arkema. If it wasn’t in Spain where would you like to play?
"Well, I think one of the best leagues is the English one, in the end, it’s one of the most competitive ones - Arsenal, Manchester City, United, Chelsea; there are loads of teams that are good. I think that together with the Spanish league it’s one of the best leagues out there. I try to catch some games on DAZN, which I have to be able to watch, it’s a different style of football to the one here: a lot more physical, play is a lot faster, but it’s a league that catches great attention."
What do you think are the benefits of a game like Barça - Real Sociedad game being able to be seen for free?
"Well, means more people can see it. When you’re at home and have more options to be able to watch, there’s probably people that don’t know much about women’s football but since they have the option of watching it, they watch. And also, for those who follow women’s football also being able to watch will help us grow women’s football, to make everyone want to watch even more and go in an upwards direction. It’s true that over the last few years women’s football has been growing a lot."
Who do you think will win the derby?
"It’s a tough game at the end, the derby is never an easy game to play, but I hope it’s La Real that wins."
What are your personal goals for this season? And how do you think the season has gone so far?
"I’m a player that loves winning and hates losing, I love playing with the ball and being involved in the game. I usually play mostly as a left winger, so getting on the inside and creating that numerical advantage in that part of the pitch to then be able to get to the box. I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement, the team can do a lot more and me personally, I can also improve and give a lot more from me to hopefully finish the season even higher than where we are currently. Try to score more goals, give more assists, be more impactful - that’s the main objective."
How excited are you to play Copa de la Reina and the derby at Reale Arena? How much of a psychological edge can it give your team?
"I always say that the most important thing at any stadium is the pitch, the ball moves on its own and it’s a joy to play at the big stadiums as they’re always super well kept. On top of that, there’s of course more room for fans to come to see us. We’ll try for both games to attract the most people possible. It’s true that on Wednesday the game is at 6:30 pm so it will be more difficult as people work. Anyways, we hope that at both games there’s loads of people coming, and they support us as we all know, club, fans, and players, that the game on Wednesday is important as we have the option to qualify for a final and on the weekend a derby. Here the derbies are at another level, and we hope a lot of people come to support us."
What advice would you offer to young girls aspiring to pursue a professional football career?
"Well, it’s true that becoming a pro can be challenging, it’s a difficult path and you have to make a lot of sacrifices for things that at your age your friends are doing. But it’s worth it, you’re privileged, and that’s how I feel about the life I have. I do what I like the most and I can make a living out of it and that for me is one of the most important things. The journey is not easy, but they should keep working as the hard work and sacrifices pay off. Some people make it, others don’t, but you learn a lot on the way and the learnings are what you take away afterwards with you in life."
What qualities do you believe are essential for leadership, both as a captain on the field and as a role model off it?
"I think that being a captain means you have to be good at communicating with the club, staff and the team. Because at the end of the day, they are the ones that make Real Sociedad, it’s important for there to be good communication between us so that whenever there are problems or anything you can resolve it much easier. I’m not a captain that likes talking all that much or being the center of attention, I try on the pitch to transmit the will to win and for La Real to be in the highest place possible. That’s the best way for me to transmit that energy, I’m a player from here and have always been a fan since very little and I think that’s one of the most important factors."
Throughout your career, what has been the biggest challenge you've faced as a female athlete, and how did you overcome it?
"Challenges, I’ve had loads of sporting ones, you always have objectives to go for. It’s true that before I used to play a lot of tennis and football, and when I was very little, 8, I lost my mother and football was like an escape for me to concentrate on. It’s helped me a lot because whenever you’re playing you enjoy it, and you don’t think of it as much. In moments where it’s hard to think of some things, football has been like an escape for me. From little, I’ve really wanted to play, play, play and that was one of the biggest challenges. Overcoming that situation and me becoming a professional player is something that the whole family has achieved all together and it’s a privilege to be here."
How do you view the importance of mental toughness and resilience in overcoming challenging teams and securing victories in crucial matches?
"I think that in a lot of cases we think that physical shape is the most important thing in football, which is true it’s really important as if you’re injured you can’t play. However, the mental aspect is also a part of your health. When a player is well mentally, they’ve already gained a lot of confidence in themselves and feel assured they dare to do more things and they’re able to get an even better version of themselves. I think the mental aspect is as important as any other, like rest, diet, and injury prevention. They’re all things that you need to try and take care of to be at your top game. A lot of times games are decided by mere seconds or specific plays and actions so it’s important to be at 100%."
In your view, what is the most underrated skill on or off the football pitch, and why?
"Probably the mental aspect. We all think we’re super strong and we can do it all. Having a psychologist, be it a sports one or a personal one, is really important. I’ve always said that we always wait to go to the psychologist when we have a problem, and it shouldn’t be that way. The psychologist should be a part of your life to help you get to know yourself better when you don’t even know what’s happening with yourself when you’re on your period. You can’t even deal with yourself - in many cases the psychologist is the one who helps you get to know yourself better and is a fundamental piece that we should have in our lives, independently from being professional footballers or just normal people who have their jobs It’s important for our selves. It’s one of the aspects that is least worked on but is the most important."
Finally, the most important question, Tortilla de patatas con o sin cebolla? (Spanish omelette with or without onions?)
"Me always with onions."
You can watch Real Sociedad take on FC Barcelona in the Liga F match on Sunday at 14:00 CET and 9:00 ET live on DAZN for FREE.