La Liga: Can Alexander Isak help Real Sociedad shock Real Madrid & Atletico Madrid?



Alexander Isak has not lost a game for Real Sociedad this season.

Real Sociedad haven't won a league title in 40 years, but any talk that could change this season will not be entertained at the club's training base. At least not yet.

La Real have not lost since the opening day of the season against Barcelona, and sit second in the wide-open La Liga. Real Madrid took the top spot after a goalless draw against Valencia. For now.

Alexander Isak is the exciting forward who is leading the line in San Sebastian, while also trying to keep La Real fans grounded.

Isak doesn't see it as a fight for the title because he thinks it's far ahead. The title fight will begin in April.

First place doesn't mean anything anymore. Winning games is the only thing that makes us happy. It's not fun to be first place if you don't end up there.

La Real missed out on the playoffs last season but are in a good position to make it to the knockout stages.

La Real's faith in youth is paying off.

Isak's influence in the team has grown as the club has improved.

He scored nine goals in his first La Liga season as Real Sociedad finished sixth and netted 17 times last year as the club took fifth and won the delayed Copa del Rey final.

The forward, who has played 14 games this season, has not been on the losing side in any of them.

He says that he had two very good years outside of it. I am very happy to be in this country and I feel very good in this city.

The 22-year-old has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic since he broke into the AIK side at the age of 16.

Isak sees himself as a different player to the Sweden icon, but they talk a lot about positioning and movement while on international duty.

Isak was considering a move to Borussia Dortmund but decided to stay at Reale Arena.

He says that it is a mix of being in a country where football fits his qualities and being at a club that really believes in him and bought him with the intention of making him a top player.

I like to combine with my team-mates and Spanish football benefits me more because I like to touch the ball. In Spain, there is more playing, but more playing with the ball and it is more technical.

Alexander Sorloth is on a loan at La Real.

One of the benefits of producing their own talent in the club's famed Zubieta academy is that La Real have been able to complement those stars with acquisitions like Isak and David Silva.

The 35-year-old, who joined on a free transfer last year, has featured regularly this term and is someone Isak is keen to learn from.

He doesn't think he surprised him because he knew what he could do for the team.

It is nice to see how professional he is with the team. All of us can learn a lot from a player like that.

Alexander Sorloth has been brought in on a loan from RB Leipzig to help ease the burden on Isak and another who says the squad has benefited from Silva's presence.

Sorloth says that he sets an example. He is so calm on the ball that you can see it in his work and his games.

He still looks hungry, but it has been good to see his work ethic.

Imanol Alguacil is the head coach of La Real.

He says that he is good at keeping us grounded and doesn't want to look too far ahead. His training ground intensity is really high. It always keeps us on our toes in the games.

The former Crystal Palace forward wants the club to use their victory in the Copa del Rey as a platform to achieve further success, and perhaps that first title since 1981-82.

He says that winning a trophy adds motivation to the club and hunger.

It can be the start of something if the club gets better and more motivated. It is important to not look too far ahead, but everyone has noticed that it is more open.