A near-complete squad for Sunday
Real Sociedad could hardly have asked for a cleaner build-up to the Basque derby. According to [1], the squad completed its penultimate training session before the trip to San Mamés with no new medical issues, leaving 23 players available. The only name missing from the list is Álvaro Odriozola, who is out with a long-term injury and is the only first-team player unavailable.
There is also good news on Yangel Herrera. [2] reports that he has overcome the discomfort that cost him several recent matches and is training normally. That gives Pellegrino Matarazzo a fit midfielder who was absent for part of the recent run, although being available does not guarantee a starting place.
For a head coach, a healthy group is both a comfort and a puzzle. With so few restrictions, the selection comes down to form, balance and the demands of a derby in an intense atmosphere. The coverage suggests Matarazzo has not yet settled the full XI, even though the outline of the side is becoming clearer.
The likely XI: settled at the back, open in attack
The defence and goal look the most predictable. [1] expects Álex Remiro in goal, with Aramburu, Jon Martín, Mamadou Sarr and Sergio Gómez the most likely back four. Aramburu’s return to the right-back slot is the main change. The reports describe it as an expectation rather than a confirmed decision.
Midfield is where the most interesting debate sits. The same report suggests Jon Gorrotxategi appears to have overtaken Yangel Herrera for a place, with Carlos Soler and Beñat Turrientes competing to partner him. This is flagged as unconfirmed. Another [3] piece says Gorrotxategi is playing at a very high level and is a strong candidate to start.
In attack, Mikel Oyarzabal and Gonçalo Guedes are expected to start, with Luka Sučić, Ander Barrenetxea and Takefusa Kubo competing for the other two spots. Orri Steinn Óskarsson is expected to begin on the bench. A separate [2] report notes that Sučić, Guedes, Oyarzabal, Óskarsson, Barrenetxea, Kubo and Zakharyan have all been used recently in the starting line-up, so the final choice remains open. The depth is real, and the order in which Matarazzo uses it may tell us how he wants to approach the game.
Form going into the derby
The side arrive in good shape. Real Sociedad sit fifth in La Liga with 19 points from 10 played, a record of six wins, one draw and three defeats. The goal tally of 19 scored and 18 conceded points to matches with plenty of action at both ends rather than a tight, low-scoring side.
The last five listed league results make that clear. A 3-0 home defeat to Club Atlético de Madrid on 13 September is the outlier. Since then the listed results are a 3-2 win at Valencia CF, a 3-2 home win over RC Deportivo La Coruña, a 5-2 win at Málaga CF and, most recently, a 2-1 home win over Levante UD on 25 October. That is 13 goals scored and 10 conceded across the five, with four wins.
The attacking output is encouraging, and so is the ability to win games in which the defence concedes. Conceding two goals in four of those five matches is a note of caution before a derby, where the margin for error against a well-supported home side can be thin. It also helps explain why the expected return of Aramburu and a settled back four matter. Stability behind the attack could be as important as the choice of forwards.
What it means
Fifth place on 19 points is a solid position, and the derby is a chance to consolidate it. Six wins from 10 matches show a team getting results, and the recent run of four wins in five listed league games suggests momentum rather than a fragile start.
The form line also asks a clear question of the next fixture. Real Sociedad have scored freely, with 19 goals in 10 matches, but they have conceded 18. Athletic Club v Real Sociedad on 1 November tests whether the defence can tighten up in a hostile setting without losing the attacking edge that produced a 5-2 win at Málaga and 3-2 wins against Valencia and Deportivo.
Selection is the other part of the story. A fully fit group, bar Odriozola, means Matarazzo can pick on form. Gorrotxategi’s good level, Herrera’s recovery and the competition among the forwards all suggest the choices will be made on merit. The site’s forecast for the derby locks 24 hours before kick-off, so the final lineup news will matter before that point.
Sources
- Marca: La Real se acerca al derbi sin bajas marca.com ↩
- Marca: La Real, a tope a tres días del derbi marca.com ↩
- Marca: La Real, a tope a sólo tres días del derbi marca.com ↩
