Real Sociedad star Mikel Oyarzabal is hoping to close the gap on LaLiga's leading clubs after guiding his side to a first Copa del Rey trophy in 34 years.
In the absence of injured captain Asier Illarramendi, Oyarzabal led Real Sociedad to glory last month when he scored the game's only goal from the penalty spot in his side's victory over Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in the 2019/20 Copa del Rey final.
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In doing so, the 24-year-old Spain international helped Los Txuri-Urdin claim their first major trophy in nearly 34 years, with the club's last taste of top-flight silverware coming in the same competition during the 1986/87 campaign.
La Real's wait to win LaLiga has been even longer, and the team has not claimed the league trophy since winning back-to-back titles between 1980 and 1982, something Oyarzabal hopes will change in the near future.
"Well, we have to be realistic," Oyarzabal told snl24.com/kickoff during a recent LaLiga event. "We have to be aware of the level we are at. I think it's something that would be difficult because of the level of the other teams, week after week, you know, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and this year also Sevilla...
"I think at the moment they are a step above us but it is true to say that over the last two years especially, we have been working very hard and we're improving. We want to continue to improve, and then why not? Why can't we win LaLiga?
"But, at the moment, being realistic, I think the other teams are slightly above us. But as I said, we're playing very well and we're really working to make sure that each time there is less distance between us and these other teams."
You can listen to Oyarzabal's thoughts in the video below, as translated by LaLiga