Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil admits they see Barcelona as a direct rival.

The two teams meet this week with a top four place at stake.

Imanol said: "I see them as direct because we play against them tomorrow. We go match by match, it is what has led us to be so close to this and other teams.

"I said that everything will be decided on the last day and we will see how we play on that last day. We are very excited, hopefully we can offer the best version to be able to win the game and be close to the greats with five games to go.

"They are the second team with the most points in the second round, 29. They have scored four goals against Real Madrid, Osasuna, Valencia, Atlético de Madrid... I think they have won eight, drawn two and lost one... I think things changed for Barcelona, until very recently we were saying that, if Madrid stumbled, they were going to be ready."