AIHEN MUNOZ NEWS

Substitute option Sunday Munoz (knee) is on the bench for Sunday's meeting with Osasuna.

Impact Munoz offers a creative left-back alternative as he aims to see his first minutes in league play since Sept. 17. Still, he could remain in a limited role with Sergio Gomez doing a good job lately.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Back on injury list Munoz is out for Saturday's match against Girona due to knee issues, according to manager Imanol Alguacil. "The only casualties is Aihen, who has some discomfort in his knee, which...

Impact Munoz will sit out Saturday, with the defender suffering from discomfort due to knee issues. The issues don't appear to be major, although he was held out of training to be cautious, leading to his absence. He has mainly served in a rotational role this season, so this isn't a major loss, although they will hope to add his depth back into the team as soon as possible.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Added to squad list Munoz (knee) was named on the squad list for Wednesday's match against Alaves.

Impact Munoz has been out since January of last season after tearing his ACL but is now unexpectedly back on the squad list. He was training on grass to begin July, so this isn't too surprising. However, with no previous note of a return, his addition wasn't expected. It is still unknown if he is fit enough to compete, with a solid chance he won't be added to the team sheet.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Begins training on grass Munoz (knee) has linked up with the team for preseason while beginning to train on the grass.

Impact Munoz underwent ACL surgery in January, ending his season just a few months in. He is still more than a month or two away from returning to the pitch, however it is a good sign to see the defender training individually with ball work and running drills for the first time since his operation.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes successful surgery Munoz underwent successful surgery Friday for a torn ACL.

Impact Munoz is set to miss at least the next six months and probably longer, depending on recovery. It's always a tough injury to return from, but since it's still only January, if all goes well, there's a chance he'll return early next season. In his absence, Kieran Tierney will get more starts as long as he's healthy and possibly someone like Javi Galan.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Set for surgery Munoz will be undergoing surgery on his knee following this weekend's match against Celta Vigo on Saturday, where he had to be stretchered off due to the injury.

Impact Monoz most likely has just played the last of his 2023/24 campaign on Saturday, having been announced to be set for knee surgery. This will be a significant loss for Sociedad, as even though the player has fallen out of favor recently, he has been a normal sight on the field, not missing a single match while starting 16 times. He will now just hope to have a successful surgery and a recovery period with no setbacks as he looks ahead to the 2024/25 season, hoping he will be able to begin the campaign with the club.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Exits early against Celta Munoz was forced off in the 39th minute of Saturday's match against Celta, having been stretchered off the pitch after suffering an injury to his knee.

Impact Munoz's situation does not look to be good at first glance, having to be helped off the pitch by a stretcher after going down due to being hit in the left knee. Despite the defender getting his first start in four matches Saturday, his absence could be a major loss if it is long-term, as the left-back has started in 16 of the club's 27 games across all competitions, appearing for at least a minute in every contest this year. More should be released on the player following the match, as the whole club waits in hope that the injury is only minor despite the scary scene as he left the field. He was replaced by Kieran Tierney, who should be expected to get the start at left-back in future matches if Munoz misses an extended period.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Assists off the bench against Athletic Munoz assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Athletic.

Impact Munoz, subbed on for Kieran Tierney in the 80th minute, contributed instantly by assisting Mikel Oyarzabal's goal in the 88th minute. He also made a tackle and a clearance. This marked his first league goal involvement in nearly five months. Furthermore, he has featured in every league game this season.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist versus Benfica Munoz provided an assist, had one off-target shot, sent in two inaccurate crosses and made two tackles (both won), two clearances and one interception during Wednesday's 3-1 Champi...

Impact Munoz made his seventh consecutive start in all competitions, a rare stretch for him, and delivered again, this time assisting Mikel Merino for the opening goal in the sixth minute for what was his first UCL assist of the season and the second overall. With Kieran Tierney (hamstring) out until January, the left-back will still have many opportunities to impress and cement his place in the starting XI for good.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Whips in six crosses Munoz recorded one shot (zero on goal) and six crosses (zero accurate) in Tuesday's 1-0 win against Benfica.

Impact Munoz generated another great game from the defense in Tuesday's win, generating a season-high in crosses with six while also winning three tackles. The left-back is more known for his defending but has done very well to provide an attacking presence from the defense, with Kieran Tierney still injured, registering 15 crosses in his four starts since Tierney went down. Munoz will look to possibly contend for the starting spot when Tierney does return, having some very decent performances since getting the starting nod.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in start Munoz generated one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg.

Impact Munoz got the start with Kieran Tierney sidelined and showed why he opened the season as the starter. He might not have the attacking upside of Tierney but Munoz is a rock solid defender and has the ability to pile on some volume, with five clearances and three tackles. With Tierney out Munoz is in line for a nearly guaranteed role in the starting XI.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens season as starter Munoz has started three of Real Sociedad's four league matches this season, racking up one assist, one shot, four chances created, seven crosses, seven tackles, 11 clearances and t...

Impact Munoz secured an assist in the season opener and started the next two matches, but he moved to a bench role as soon as Kieran Tierney was ready to debut. It wouldn't be shocking if Munoz ended up playing as a backup throughout most of the 2023/24 season, with Tierney getting most of the starts on the left side of the defense.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up early goal Munoz had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing twice (one accurate) and creating two chances during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Girona.

Impact Munoz set up Takefusa Kubo in the fifth minute assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist matches last year's season total for Munoz in La Liga as he finished the match with the second highest amount of crosses and chances created on the team.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Left on bench in season finale Munoz was an unused substitute in Sunday's win over Sevilla, but he made 23 La Liga appearance (20 starts) throughout the campaign.

Impact Munoz kept seven clean sheets as Sociedad finished in the top-four and clinched Champions League football for next season, and he also grabbed his second-ever La Liga assist in setting up a strike against Rayo in April. The 25-year-old continues to split time with Diego Rico at left-back, but he's increased his league minutes in every campaign since breaking into the senior side.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Attempts four crosses Munoz had four crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Betis.

Impact Munoz attempted four crosses during three of his six appearances between March 19 and April 25. Now the Sociedad team's preferred left-back, he is expected to continue consistently crossing at that rate moving forward.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rare assist in win Munoz assisted once to go with two crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 92nd min...

Impact Munoz recorded just his second league assist in three seasons to help put Real Sociedad on the board Saturday. He continues his superb work at left back, averaging 3.1 crosses and 3.4 tackles a match. This has led him to five straight starts in the last five games, totaling an assist, 14 crosses (five accurate) and nine tackles (seven won) in that span.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Four crosses in defeat Munoz attempted four crosses (two accurate), created one chance and won three tackles in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

Impact Munoz put in a good performance and was unlucky to end up on the losing side. He has struggled with injuries and form this season but has now started four consecutive games and will hope to keep his place for Saturday's game against Rayo Vallecano.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts against Real Madrid Munoz made two clearances before subbing out of Sunday's draw against Real Madrid at halftime.

Impact Munoz made his first appearance since October on Sunday after recovering from a hip injury. Diego Rico could return to take his place as the starting left-back next weekend however.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Included in squad Munoz (hip) is in the initial squad list for Saturday's clash with Osasuna.

Impact Munoz avoided any sort of setback and is in the squad list for Saturday's match after training fully earlier in the week. The defender has made nine appearances (eight starts) before the injury ended the first half of his season. If he is fully fit Munoz could return straight to the starting XI at left-back.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trains fully Munoz (hip) took full part in team training Monday, El Desmarque reports.

Impact Munoz remained in full team training Monday and is set for a return during Saturday's clash with Osasuna. The defender found some consistent playing time before the World Cup break and will likely take the starting role back when fit.

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active in training Munoz (hip) was able to participate in Monday's training session, according to El Desmarque.

Impact Munoz isn't far from playing after missing much of the last two months with a hip injury. He started eight times in nine league appearances prior to his absence and will hope to reprise his role at left-back by the Dec. 31 match against Osasuna.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trains separately Wednesday Munoz (hip) trained on his own during Wednesday's session, according to El Desmarque.

Impact Munoz hasn't played since mid-October and still awaits medical clearance. He's still started in eight of his nine league appearances and will hope to be back by the Dec. 31 match against Osasuna.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Wednesday Munoz (hip) isn't in the squad list for Wednesday's trip to Sevilla.

Impact Munoz will miss a seventh consecutive match and now focus on his recovery during the World Cup. Diego Rico will continue as the top left-back until Munoz is healthy again.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Muscle injury confirmed Munoz has suffered an injury to the adductor muscle near his right hip, his club announced Monday.

Impact Munoz likely needs a couple of weeks to recover from this injury at the least, which was picked up in the first half of a rainy win over Celta Vigo on Sunday. As Munoz also took a large cut on his head, he needs some time to recover regardless. Look for Diego Rico to take over as the starting left-back for at least Wednesday's match against Mallorca and beyond.

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves early Sunday Munoz had to be replaced by Diego Rico after 28 minutes of Sunday's match against Celta Vigo with a cut on his head and a muscular strain.

Impact Munoz was truly knocked out by the strain as he played through the cut with a wrap on his head for a few minutes in the pouring rain. He'll have to be careful not to miss much time as Diego Rico could easily lock down the starting spot at left-back while he's out.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE