Real Sociedad vs Granada CF Preview - Montanier ready for battle

Posted Monday, May 13, 2013 by PA

Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier insists his side are ready to "fight and suffer" over the final four games of the season as they try to claim the last remaining Champions League berth in La Liga.

Fourth-placed Sociedad slipped to only their second defeat since the start of November last Monday after going down 2-1 to Getafe, a result which allowed Valencia to close to within two points of fourth place.

Montanier has no intention of pressing the panic button following that loss, though, instead challenging his players to use the disappointment of the defeat as an incentive to kick on in the finishing straight.

He said ahead of Monday night's visit of Granada: "We're determined to have a great game and get the victory. It's always difficult to digest the taste of defeat, but we have the same advantage that we had six weeks ago and we need to look at the bigger picture.

"The defeat to Getafe did not cover up the team's good dynamic.

"I hope that slip-up will be useful to help us play at our maximum in the final four games. We won't get into the Champions League without fighting until the end. That privilege is reserved for Real Madrid, Barca and Atletico (all of whom are guaranteed to finish in top three).

"We are ready to fight and suffer until the last day to decide our final position."

Granada's battle is at the other end of the table, although they look to be winning it after claiming back-to-back 1-0 victories over Espanyol and Malaga in their last two games.

That has helped lift the Andalusian side up to 16th but, with the relegation zone still only three points away, they know there is still plenty of work to do.

Granada's final four games see them go to Sociedad and Valencia while playing host to Osasuna and Getafe and goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez believes it will be the two home matches which will decide their future.

He said: "We need to try and pick up points in San Sebastian and then in Valencia, but we are to going to be playing for our survival at Los Carmenes, where we have two finals left."