REAL SOCIEDAD NEWS

Take - Left on bench in loss Kubo was left on the bench during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.

Impact It is interesting to see Kubo stuck warming the bench when he's arguably Japan's best attacking player in the current team. With just one half played in two games, his minutes reflect a different situation with the manager so his impact isn't likely to be as high.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Germany vs Japan live updates Germany and Japan get Group E underway with the two nations in action at the Khalifa International Stadium. Hansi Flick's side, who won the...

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

How things stand in Europe's top leagues before World Cup

Arsenal looks like the real deal after building a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aritz Elustondo - Completes suspension Elustondo completed his one-match suspension during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact Elustondo was suspended after getting a red card in Sunday's draw with Valencia to close out the first half of his season. He made 16 appearances and started 12 times between the league and UEL, keeping 10 clean sheets and scoring once.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Oyarzabal - Doesn't make World Cup team Oyarzabal (knee) didn't make the squad list for Spain's national side heading to the World Cup, it was announced Friday.

Impact Oyarzabal returned to training after recovering from a torn ACL last month, but didn't do enough in the eyes of manager Luis Enrique or didn't have medical clearance. As a result, Look for a sharp Oyarzabal to feature at some point in early 2023.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Atlético loses again in last league match before World Cup

The World Cup break can’t come soon enough for Atlético Madrid

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alejandro Remiro - Concedes one in win Remiro conceded one goal and made two saves during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact Remiro finishes the first half of the season with three goals conceded over his final three matches (one win, one draw, one loss). With 19 goals conceded between the league and UEL, Remiro hasn't shown as exceptional form as he did a year ago, though with just two of his total goals against coming in the Europa League, he's still worth plenty of attention when his team is at its best.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Sorloth - Scores in win Sorloth scored one goal from two shots (two on goal) and created three chances during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact Sorloth went six straight appearances without scoring but broke that streak with a fine finish in Wednesday's game. Though Sorloth isn't one to score in every game, he's looked improved this season with six goals and two assists in 15 appearances, surpassing his combined totals from 40 appearances across all of last season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Take - Takes four shots in win Kubo had four shots (one on goal), six crosses (one accurate), and two chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 win versus Sevilla.

Impact Kubo had to play for 80 minutes as a substitute following an early injury to Carlos Fernandez, and did well to keep the hosts on the back foot after they suffered two red cards in the first half. Now that Kubo has made it through the first half of the season and regained his fitness following a shoulder injury, he'll hope to play an important role for Japan during the World Cup in a tough group.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brais Mendez - Scores in win Mendez scored one goal from two shots (one on goal) and created one chance during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact Mendez was one of the stars of the league up until the World Cup, scoring six times and logging two assists in 14 matches. His efforts between the league and UEL are a big reason why La Real have survived without new signing Umar Sadiq (torn ACL) and Mikel Oyarzabal (recovering from torn ACL), and he'll continue to be a key fixture in 2023.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Merino - 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

Carlos Fernandez - Comes off injured against Sevilla Fernandez was subbed out of Wednesday's match against Sevilla in the 10th minute after suffering an injury.

Impact Fernandez was making his fourth consecutive La Liga start on Wednesday since recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in August 2021, but his struggles with injuries continue as he had to come off after just 10 minutes. He will have an extended period to recover during the World Cup break as Sociedad's next league game is against Osasuna on Dec. 31. Takefusa Kubo replaced him in the front-two versus Sevilla.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Take - On bench against Sevilla Kubo (shoulder) made the bench for Wednesday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Kubo missed two matches due to injury in addition to sitting on the bench for Sunday's draw with Valencia. With the World Cup on the horizon and Kubo named to Japan's team, he'll use the last week before the league pauses to get his fitness back.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Silva - Starting against Sevilla Silva (thigh) made the starting lineup for Wednesday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Silva returns to the lineup after missing four straight games but spending Sunday's draw with Valencia on the bench. Both he and Takefusa Kubo return to the team following different injury-related absences to bolster a team with lots of attacking depth but lots of injuries as well.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Aihen Munoz - 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

Ander Barrenetxea - Out against Sevilla Barrenetxea (undisclosed) didn't make the squad list for Wednesday's match at Sevilla.

Impact Barrenetxea has struggled with injuries for much of the past two months and will now use the World Cup break to regain his fitness. If he can return by 2023, he should be another talented young option from the bench.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Oyarzabal - Going slow in recovery Oyarzabal (torn ACL) is slowly improving in his recovery, manager Imanol Alguacil announced ahead of Wednesday's trip to Sevilla.

Impact Oyarzabal isn't likely to play much in 2022 unless he's picked for Spain's World Cup roster, and even then he needs to prove that he won't quickly re-injure his knee by compensating to avoid strain. That being said, it's good to hear further information on the health of a star player on a good but injury-riddled team.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Silva - In training before Sevilla trip Silva (thigh) trained Sunday and Monday ahead of Wednesday's match at Sevilla, according to manager Imanol Alguacil.

Impact Silva hasn't played in four games but was on the bench for Sunday's draw with Valencia. Given his age and the need to prevent further muscular issues, Silva still may not start in Wednesday's game, leaving Brais Mendez as a likely option for the attacking part of the midfield.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Take - Training ahead of Sevilla match Kubo (shoulder) has trained ahead of Wednesday's trip to Sevilla, according to manager Imanol Alguacil in his Tuesday press conference.

Impact Kubo was left on the bench in Sunday's draw with Valencia after missing the previous two games and now appears close to returning. He still may not feature in Wednesday's game just to preserve his fitness as Kubo figures to star for Japan at the World Cup. Without Kubo, Carlos Fernandez and Brais Mendez will continue to be integral to the attack.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE