Oyarzabal and Aspas Face Off at Anoeta Stadium
As anticipation builds for the clash at Anoeta Stadium, two of Spain’s top active goal scorers will face off. Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad and Iago Aspas of RC Celta are set to lead their squads in a pivotal La Liga encounter.
Matchup Highlights: Oyarzabal vs. Aspas
Currently, Iago Aspas holds the record as the league’s leading active scorer, boasting 167 goals. Following him is Gerard Moreno with 123 goals, while Mikel Oyarzabal ranks third with 103 goals. This match will showcase the skills of both players as they attempt to sway the outcome in favor of their teams.
- Iago Aspas: 11 goals against Real Sociedad (10 in La Liga, 1 in Copa)
- Mikel Oyarzabal: 8 goals against Celta (4 in Balaídos, 4 in Anoeta)
Current Team Standings
At present, Celta Vigo sits in seventh place with 32 points, while Real Sociedad lies ninth with 24 points. A win for Sociedad would narrow the gap to five points, enhancing their chances for a top-table finish.
Recent Form and Coaching Influence
Real Sociedad’s recent resurgence can be attributed to coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. With a record of three wins and one draw, the team has regained its competitive spirit. Their morale surged after defeating FC Barcelona 2-1, a victory that boosted confidence significantly.
However, Matarazzo faces challenges with player injuries. Notable absentees include:
- Yangel Herrera (injury)
- Pablo Rupérez (injury)
- Take Kubo (recovering in Japan)
- Carlos Soler (suspension)
- Zakharyan (struggling with minor issues)
On a positive note, the squad has welcomed Oskarsson back while promoting three promising youth players: Ibai Aguirre, Job Ochieng, and Dani Díaz.
Celta’s Strong Performance
Celta Vigo enters the match in formidable form, having won five of their last six league games. Their resilience is notable, particularly in away matches where they haven’t suffered a defeat since September, amassing five wins and one draw during that span.
Head coach Claudio Giráldez has nearly a full squad available, with only a few players potentially feeling fatigued from a recent Europa League match. Key players Aspas and Borja Iglesias are fresh, having played only the first half, ensuring they are ready to contribute significantly against Real Sociedad.
The kickoff at Anoeta promises an exciting showdown featuring two passionate teams vying for critical points in La Liga.
