Exclusive: Ex-La Liga Man Adepoju Backs Former Side Sociedad For Top Flight Flourish, Hails European Ambitions

Ex-La Liga star Mutiu Adepoju has lauded the resurgence of his former side Real Sociedad in the Spanish top flight, believing they have what it takes to crack it with the big teams.

La Real have finished fifth, sixth, fourth and sixth in the last four successive seasons, a testament to Imanol Alguacil's prudent management skills, and the two-time league winners seemingly could be poised for more, according to their former ace.

Having recovered from an early season slump to now sit sixth on the division standings after 16 games, Adepoju a popular figure at the Anoeta is pleasantly surprised with their performances and has tipped them for a really decent finish to their season.

"It is surprising how well they recovered after their opening games of the season, and now they have a chance to really go on and achieve greatly," Adepoju told SportsBoom.com. "I watched them put on a show to defeat Leganes last weekend, and you can feel they are doing all the right things recently."

REVIEWING REAL'S TOP FOUR CHANCES

Only twice in the last twelve league campaigns have Real Sociedad finished in the top four, the Champions League qualification zones no thanks to the dominance of the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.

However, Adepoju who made over 175 top flight appearances in La Liga, including 97 for the Basque outfit believes things could be about to change, if they keep up such rich vein of form.

Four victories in their last five Liga games including a narrow win over Barcelona recently seem to be doing the trick, and pushing them right into that mix.

"Yes, I think it's very possible. They are doing greatly although it didn't come off easily because at the beginning of the season, things weren't so well for them.

"And now, they are coming up with each game they play. I will say much of that is down to the type of management they've got, the technical crew, and of course the kind of players they have.

"And also in the past years till now, they've always being qualifying for European football, the Europa League, so if they manage to move further up the standings, it is a continuation of what they've always tried to do, " he remarked. 

EUROPEAN AMBITIONS UNLOCKED

Real's lofty ambitions this season have not only seen them stand tall in La Liga, but they are as well staking a claim in the Europa League amongst some of Europe's finest.

After five rounds of games in the secondary competition, they have accrued seven points, a tally which leaves them just three adrift the automatic qualification slots having claimed a big victory over Ajax last time out there.

Next up on Thursday, it is Ukrainian opposition Dynamo Kyiv who come under the lights, and Adepoju knows how vociferous the Sociedad fans can be when they get to spur and cheer the team.

"Maybe this is the year we get to win something in Europe", Mutiu started. "With the fans behind them, which I know how passionate they are in Basque, their opposition will expect a hostile atmosphere.

"It could be frightening even but we need to get over the line with another win. It will most likely be an important one, another one in front of the home fans.

"This one will be so much better if they pull it off because it will bring them closer to going through and having a big chance at creating history in the continent."

SOME REALLY TALENTED PLAYERS HAVE HELPED THEIR COURSE

The likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo, Martín Zubimendi have formed a key part of the Alguacil's team, and have relieved the pressure that come with losing important players to big sides in Europe.

After Robin Le Normand and Mikel Merino opted for big money moves to rivals Atlético and Premier League powerhouse Arsenal respectively, Real have rallied and even academy graduates Urko GoGonzalez, Jon Martin, Iñaki Rupérez and the likes have being thrust in to fill big shoes.

Thus, that is down to their abilities as Adepoju feels, and the faith in them is been repaid strongly following their disciplined run out in a recent Copa Del Ray game.

"Most of the young players in the team are taking their chances, not one of them want to be left out."

"The senior players as well, they seem to understand the importance of each game they go out there to execute. At some point, maybe it could get difficult, fatigue could come in, suspensions and all that but I think they have a more than enough squad to get them over the line even when these conditions come in.

"You have to see it that that way. You have to be talented enough to play for Real Sociedad, and that has shown."

Real Sociedad will look to consolidate on their perch when they round off the year's hostilities with a home game versus Las Palmas before travelling to Balaídos to face Celta Vigo.