MIKEL MERINO NEWS

Sent off late Merino was shown a red card in the second half of Sunday's match against Mallorca.

Impact Merino was shown the red card in the 90th minute, forcing Sociedad to end the match with ten men. Merino will miss at minimum Sociedad's next match against Elche through suspension.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes three shots against Cadiz Merino took three shots (two on target) and created a chance in Friday's 0-0 draw against Cadiz. He also made three clearances and an interception in the match.

Impact Merino was active on both sides of the ball but his side had to settle for a draw on Friday. He's averaging 1.9 shots per 90 minutes across his four La Liga appearances (two starts) since returning from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for a few games from Januar-February.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against Espanyol Merino (hamstring) is in Real Sociedad's match day squad for Monday's clash against Espanyol.

Impact Merino missed La Real's last three La Liga games with a hamstring injury, but he's fit enough to make the squad Monday and could see some playing time off the bench in midfield against Espanyol.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Rayo Merino (hamstring) was not called up by Real Sociedad for Saturday's clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Merino picked up a hamstring injury in the mid-week Copa del Rey win over Mallorca that will now rule him out for the La Liga match on Saturday. With Martin Zubimendi (suspension) and Ander Guevara (thigh) also out, Sociedad may have to change formations and possibly insert another winger like Mikel Oyarzabal into the lineup to replace Merino.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers hamstring injury Merino was subbed out of Tuesday's victory against Mallorca in the Copa del Rey at halftime after injuring his hamstring.

Impact Merino will have to be evaluated for this injury and is questionable for Saturday's clash against Rayo Vallecano. He has started 15 of Sociedad's 17 La Liga matches this season, tallying a goal and seven assists mostly from defensive midfield. Asier Illarramendi is an option to replace him if necessary, especially with Martin Zubimendi (suspension) and Ander Guevara (thigh) both out as well.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another assist in win Merino notched one assist on two chances created and had one accurate cross in Sunday's 2-0 win at Almeria.

Impact Merino assisted Sociedad's second goal Sunday, as he found Alexander Sorloth in the 52nd minute. This marked Merino's seventh La Liga assist this season, more than twice as many as any of his teammates. The Spanish midfielder will face a more difficult matchup next Saturday, as Athletic Club have allowed less than one goal per game.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suspended against Osasuna Merino will miss Saturday's clash with Osasuna due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Merino will be suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card. The midfielder will serve his one-match ban against Osasuna and be eligible to return for a Sunday trip to Almeria.

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs two assists in win Merino logged two assists from two chances created, put one shot on target and won two-of-four tackles during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact Merino closes out a strong first half of the season by setting up two goals then leaving at halftime. With one goal and six assists in 14 league matches, Merino might have an outside shot at a place with Spain's team in Qatar, though at the least he continues to prove he's one of the best midfielders in La Liga.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win Merino scored one goal from two shots (one on goal) during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Mallorca.

Impact Merino has scored or assisted in four straight league starts following Wednesday's early effort (one goal, three assists). While not nearly as involved in the attack as Brais Mendez and with a much heavier tendency to foul (three yellow cards in 10 appearances), Merino continues to contribute at a rate worthy of paying attention to.

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist in win Merino logged one assist from one chance created and put two shots off target during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Merino now has assists in three of his last four matches, matching his season-high for assists with four total dating back to 2016. As he's also active in the tackles with 20 made while conceding three yellow cards, Merino's offensive production is a step up but his physical play provides other limits on his potential value.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist against Girona Merino provided an assist, had one off-target shot, made five tackles (three won) and three clearances adn was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 5-3 win over Girona.

Impact Merino was mostly impactful on the defensive end overall but his biggest contribution ended up coming on offense, as what looked to be a failed control inside the box ended up becoming an assist for Martin Zubimendi to give his side a 4-3 lead in the 71st minute. That's now back-to-back games with an assist for the midfielder and he'll hope to keep up with the strong play during the upcoming matchups.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Merino provided one assist from four chances created and put one shot off target during Sunday's 2-1 win over Espanyol.

Impact Merino adds his second assist of the campaign after racking up seven chances in his last two league matches. One of the better midfielders in the league that tends not to offer much in fantasy, that could be changing following a decent first two months on both ends of the pitch.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist in win Merino logged one assist from two chances created and put two shots off target in 78 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 win over Cadiz.

Impact Merino also made two blocks during a solid start to the season. He could play a bigger role in the attack this season as the formation has shifted to rely less on wingers so there could be more to follow than just Takefusa Kubo for now.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alaba scores on 1st touch, Real Madrid rallies past Almería

Substitute David Alaba needed one touch to help Real Madrid rally to victory in its Spanish league opener

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes two shots against Atletico Merino took two shots and created two chances in last weekend's 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid. He also made an interception and won three of three tackles in the match.

Impact Merino tallied three goals and two assists in 34 La Liga appearances (33 starts) this campaign but his biggest improvement came defensively as he managed 10 blocks, 56 clearances and 14 clean sheets, all personal highs in a season since he joined Sociedad. The 25-year-old should continue to be one of the first names on the team sheet next season in midfield.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active in loss Merino created three chances, put one shot on target and won three-of-five tackles during Friday's 2-1 loss to Levante.

Impact Merino had a solid all-around stat line, which isn't always something he's been able to produce despite his evident talents. If anything, it just means his fantasy value isn't as high in his defensive focus but he's still capable in the right matchup. Up next is an important visit from Cadiz, which could determine if Merino and his teammates keep their spot higher up the table.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wins five tackles in win Merino took a shot and won five of six tackles in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Elche. He also made two interceptions in the match.

Impact Merino was solid in front of the defense Sunday as his side came from behind and beat Elche. On Friday he faces a big test against Real Betis, which are fifth place in La Liga.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late penalty gives Real Sociedad 1-0 win over Espanyol

Alexander Isak has converted a penalty kick six minutes into stoppage time as Real Sociedad secured a 1-0 win over Espanyol in the Spanish league

APRIL 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Valencia ends Athletic's run, returns to Copa del Rey final

Valencia has prevented Athletic Bilbao from reaching its third straight Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win in the second leg of the semifinals

MARCH 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores goal, assist against Mallorca Merino scored a goal and recorded an assist in Wednesday's 2-0 victory against Mallorca. He took three shots and created three chances overall in the match, and he also had three c...

Impact Merino was excellent on both sides of the field on Wednesday, setting up David Silva's opening goal before scoring from a corner kick routine himself. He was subbed out in the 85th minute because he's playing through a toe injury at the moment, but you wouldn't be able to tell based off of this performance. He looks like he'll be good to go against Real Madrid at the weekend.

MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Mallorca Merino (toe) will feature in the starting XI versus Mallorca on Wednesday.

Impact Merino has started all 27 of his appearances this season across domestic and European competitions. In those contests, the midfielder has generated three goals on 38 shots (11 on target), one assist and 20 crosses (six accurate). With his return to the starting XI, Merino could be a decent mid-range fantasy target moving forward.

MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Mallorca Merino (toe) has been called up for Sociedad's clash against Mallorca on Wednesday.

Impact Merino played against Osasuna last weekend with a broken or fractured toe, and it seems he's ready to do it again Wednesday against Mallorca. Ander Guevara could fill in for him in midfield if Merino isn't ready to start, but he might just be up to playing through the pain.

MARCH 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers broken toe Merino played in Sunday's win over Osasuna with a broken or fractured toe in his left foot, according to El Diario Vasco.

Impact Merino is undergoing tests this week to see how severe the injury is, so he will be doubtful for Wednesday's clash against Mallorca. Asier Illarramendi or Ander Guevara could fill in for him in midfield if necessary.

FEBRUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Osasuna Merino (concussion) is in Sociedad's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Osasuna.

Impact Merino suffered a concussion in last weekend's Basque derby defeat, but he has recovered and is back in the lineup from the start on Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers head trauma in loss Merino likely suffered a concussion during Sunday's 4-0 loss to Athletic Club, his side announced Monday.

Impact Merino lasted 62 minutes into Sunday's match before his departure. Though there's an important UEL match against RB Leipzig coming Thursday, Merino is likely to be out for a week at the least. In his place, Jon Guridi made a rare appearance and could stick in the lineup should he be preferred over Ander Guevara while Merino is out.

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE