Real Sociedad Team News Page 18 - Soccer

Alvaro Odriozola - Bench option versus Rayo Vallecano Odriozola (hip) is available for Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Odriozola is making a quick return from a minor hip injury, but he won't start. He has gotten the nod in three of the last seven games he was an option for, but he didn't play in the others. He has tallied three inaccurate crosses, two tackles, three interceptions, and two key passes in his recent appearances.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Aihen Munoz - 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

Carlos Fernandez - Can't get over knee problem Fernandez has not been out on the pitch, as he still has discomfort in his knee, according to manager Imanol Alguacil.

Impact Fernandez has been out since the beginning of the month and it doesn't sound like he's close to returning. His spot in the side is also in question with Sheraldo Becker joining in the transfer window. Without a start since October in league play, it may be some time before he can get another one, especially with this injury.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Barrenetxea - Still not training Barrenetxea (ankle) still isn't training with the team, confirmed manager Imanol Alguacil. "Barrene is evolving little by little, slower than I thought."

Impact It's not a positive update on Barrenetxea and it likely means another couple weeks on the sideline. He suffered the injury two weeks ago which was immediately after returning from a different knee injury. The hope is that he'll be ready for Champions League play in a few weeks.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Aritz Elustondo - Battling toe injury Elustondo will miss Saturday's match against Vallecano with an ongoing toe injury, confirmed manager Imanol Alguacil. "It's his toe, these last few games he's played undercover unt...

Impact It's not a great update from Alguacil and it could mean weeks on the sideline for Elustondo. Sociedad are losing one full-back every day at this rate and the absence of Elustondo only adds to that. While he hasn't been a regular this season, new injuries to Aihen Munoz and Kierney Tierney only add to the problems on the back line.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Kieran Tierney - Hamstring injury confirmed Tierney suffered a muscle injury to his hamstring and is set to remain out indefinitely.

Impact Tierney will spend another spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury Tuesday. Even after his previous injury, the defender was able to return to the starting XI with six starts in the last eight games. Jon Aramburu will likely see the start at left back for time being.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Zubimendi - Returns in Copa del Rey Zubimendi went the full 90 in Tuesday's Copa del Rey match, returning from an undisclosed issue.

Impact Zubimendi was a surprise absence in league play the prior weekend, but it looks like he's fine and ready to remain in the XI. He's gone a full 90 in every start this season as a mainstay in the midfield. In more of a defensive role, he's still compiled four goals and an assist in 20 league appearances.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Odriozola - Trains Thursday Odriozola (hip) participated in Thursday's training session ahead of the club's match on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Odriozola seems to be making decent progress on his recovery after picking up a hip injury in last week's Copa del Rey match against Osasuna, having run on grass and did ball work during Thursday's training session. There is a chance the defender does return on Saturday, but either way, he shouldn't be expected to get much time on the field, as he has only appeared five times all season, with three of those coming as starts. He will now hope to have no setbacks in these next couple of days and to get some time on the field against Rayo to test his legs after the issue.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Aihen Munoz - 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

Javi Galan - Signs with Real Sociedad Galan has agreed on a move to Real Sociedad from Atletico Madrid, the team announced.

Impact Galan's stint with Atletico Madrid did not turn out as expected, making only seven appearances since August. this includes having been an unused sub for the last 12 games in a row. The defender will remain in La Liga as he looks to be an option for Real Sociedad for the second half of the campaign.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Real Sociedad defeats Celta Vigo 2-1 to return to Copa del Rey semifinals

Real Sociedad has defeated Celta Vigo 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey for the first time since winning the competition four seasons ago

JANUARY 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takefusa Kubo - Active in Asian Cup Kubo (quadriceps) started during Japan's 2-1 loss to Iraq in the Asian Cup.

Impact Kubo was originally a doubt to be called up for the tournament due to the quadriceps injury. He ended up completing his rehab with the national team and is now back starting for Japan. When he returns from the Asian Cup Kubo should be straight back in the starting XI for Sociedad as well.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Kieran Tierney - Injured Tuesday Tierney came off with an injury during the first half of Tuesday's clash with Celta Vigo.

Impact Tierney picked up the issue before halftime and wasn't able to make it to the break. Artiz Elustondo came on to replace Tierney and could be back in the starting XI for a Saturday clash with Rayo if Tierney is ruled out. More info about the injury should be available avter Tierney is examined post-match.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Benat Turrientes - Records assist Benat Turrientes assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Turrientes got his first assist of the season to help the team get the win Saturday. He's started seven of the 13 matches played in league play, with Saturday being his first start since Nov 11 in la Liga.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Brais Mendez - Scores in win Mendez scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Impact Mendez scored the lone goal of the match to get the team the win Saturday. Since returning from a forearm in jury, the midfielder had started the last four games in a row, recording a goal with 15 crosses (one accurate), six tackles and six clearances in that span.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Merino - Unavailable through suspension Merino was handed his fifth yellow card of the season and will be suspended versus Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Impact Merino came off the bench versus Celta Vigo on Saturday after having started seven straight matches prior. Despite just 25 minutes of action, the midfielder still received his fifth yellow of the season, leading to his suspension. Jon Ander Olasagasti could remain in the starting XI with Merino banned.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Alejandro Remiro - Clean sheet victory Remiro recorded two saves and secured a clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Remiro returned from suspension to cruise his way to an eight clean sheet of the season. It also puts him at five straight La Liga clean sheets in a row, not allowing a goal since Dec 2. The keeper will look for his sixth in a row with a visit from Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, who have scored five goals in the last five contest.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

BRAIS 🫨 #realsociedad #skills

JANUARY 20 • YOUTUBE

Calentamiento RC Celta vs Real Sociedad

JANUARY 20 • YOUTUBE

Aihen Munoz - 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

Ander Barrenetxea - Sitting out Saturday Barrenetxea (ankle) is not on the team sheet and is ruled out for Saturday's trip against against Celta Vigo, per manager Imanol Alguacil.

Impact Barrenetxea continues to deal with injuries and will miss his fifth match since Dec 9. With his absent, this will give new signing Sheraldo Becker an opportunity to get his first start in the attack, especially with Martin Zumbimendi rule out with injury and Takefusa Kubo still out playing in the Asian Cup.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Zubimendi - Shelved for weekend Zubimendi (undisclosed) is not on the team sheet and will not be an option for Saturday's trip against Celta Vigo, confirmed manager Imanol Alguacil.

Impact Zubimendi had picked up a thigh injury during the Copa de Rey clash on Jan 7, but was able to recover in time to return for Saturday's 2-1 loss to Athletic Club. He will miss his first La Liga match of the season, having started 18 of the 20 league games while logging in four goals and one assist. With the midfielder's absent, this will likely cause some changes to the starting XI, with Arsen Zakharyan moving back to the midfield position, with Andre Silva an option to start at forward and both Mikel Oyarzabal and newly signed Sheraldo Becker as the wingers for the clash against Celta Vigo.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Hamari Traore - Playing in AFCON Traore will miss Real Sociedad's next two matches since he's at the AFCON with Mali.

Impact Traore was called up to defend Mali in the AFCON, and his return date will be determined by how far the team advances in the tournament. Alvaro Odriozola (hip) is expected to see most of the playing time at right-back while Traore is out.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Fernandez - Dealing with knee issue Fernandez was not an option for Wednesday's Cope del Rey match against Osasuna due to discomfort in his knee and is now doubtful for Saturday's match against Celta Vigo due to the...

Impact Fernandez may have played his final minutes for Real Sociedad on Dec. 21 against Cadiz, as he is now facing complications in his knee while also possibly being on his way out due to the signing of Sheraldo Becker. He most likely will be held out against Celta due to the issue, especially seeing he hasn't had much of an impact on the squad this season, only appearing in 14 matches across all competitions, mainly serving as a substitute off of the bench, with a minuscule three appearances across the club's past nine games. The forward also seems to possibly be on his way out from the club, as the club just brought in the likes of Sheraldo Becker as a new striker, with even less play time being available for Fernandez moving forward. With only two weeks until the end of the transfer window, it will be interesting to see what happens with the striker within that span.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Odriozola - Picks up injury Odriozola missed the club's latest match in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday against Osasuna due to a muscle injury in his hip and is now in question for Saturday's match against Celt...

Impact Odriozola may be heading for some time on the sidelines, already having missed the club's most recent match while being doubtful for Saturday's match after picking up an undisclosed injury. It isn't the biggest loss for the club, as the defender has only appeared in six games this season while starting in three of those contests, only notching three appearances in the club's past eight contests. He will hope for the injury to only be minor, as the club will hope to keep as many reinforcements as possible with the busy part of the season underway due to Cup and league matches taking place.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

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Real Sociedad defeats Celta Vigo 2-1 to return to Copa del Rey semifinals