Real Sociedad manager Sergio Francisco has lauded Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq following his side's victory against Reus in the Copa del Rey.

Sadiq scored his first goal for Sociedad in eight months, having returned to the club following his loan spell at Valencia in the summer.

Prior to the game, the 28-year-old had started in just a single match for La Real, with his other four appearances coming from the bench.

Sadiq set up Mikel Goti after just four minutes of coming on against the Segunda Federación side.

The former UD Almería forward later scored from the spot in stoppage time to seal a comfortable victory for Sociedad.

In his post-match reaction, Francisco lauded the lanky striker for his impact after coming off the bench.

“Sadiq is Sadiq. Whenever he comes on to play in recent matches, he brings something to the table,” the 46-year-old said in quotes revealed by AS.

“And today he brought strength, the ability to challenge.

“The ability to put a player in the back line who wins balls for us, who flicks them on, who always threatens the opponent, who, if we get down the wings and attack the area, can be a decisive player, and he was also the one who got the penalty that gave us peace of mind,” Francisco concluded.

WDN