Real Sociedad - Real Oviedo: Europa push meets survival fight at Anoeta

Real Sociedad - Real Oviedo arrives with fresh headlines after a week of squad updates and a recent setback for the home side. real sociedad - real oviedo is now framed by a manager’s squad bulletin, a sluggish run for the visitors and the home team’s ambition to re-establish momentum in the league.

Matarazzo’s press-room updates

Matarazzo held a press session to preview the match at Anoeta and offered several concrete squad updates. He noted that Ander Barrenetxea has resumed training only partially at first, with progress the following day but not yet at 100 percent; the integration process is underway and he should be close to full training by Sunday, making him a potential option for the next league fixture against Mallorca. The coach also emphasized that internal focus on the upcoming game is what matters most inside the club.

Real Sociedad - Real Oviedo stakes

The match pits real ambitions against a relegation fight. The home side returned to league action after a run that ended with a recent defeat, the first loss after a nine-match unbeaten stretch that concluded on an away trip to a major opponent. Maintaining form at Anoeta remains a priority as the team aims to continue its push for European qualifying places.

The visitors arrive under clear strain. Real Oviedo occupy the bottom position in the table with 16 points and sit nine points behind the current safety marker. Their recent momentum was affected by a loss against a regional rival where a strong first-half display yielded no points after being overturned in the second half.

Tactical threats and personnel on both flanks

Matarazzo characterized the opponent as a direct team with speed on the wings and singled out Haissem Hassan for his one-on-one ability and pace on the outside. The home coach underscored that Oviedo must not be underestimated because they consistently compete and create problems for rivals. On the Real Sociedad side, attacking names to watch include a forward with five goals in 2026 and an opposing attacker with three goals in the same period, suggesting potential for goalmouth action if both sides field their attacking options.

Squad availability and match context

Several availability notes shape selection decisions. Barrenetxea’s stepped return to training offers a near-term boost if his recovery continues as described. Brais Méndez is eligible for selection again after serving a two-match suspension, restoring another option for the home side. The visitors can count on loaned right-back Javi López for the trip to Anoeta, while their recent form and managerial changes have left them fighting to climb out of the relegation zone.

What to watch and next steps

Key indicators to follow on matchday are lineups that reflect Barrenetxea’s level of integration, whether Méndez is reinstated into starting roles, and how Oviedo deploys its wide speed in transition. The home squad has framed the league as its immediate priority after recent cup commitments, describing the domestic competition as the competition of "bread and butter" that must be consolidated. For the coach, matchday routines also matter: he noted a personal preference for a siesta on night-match days as part of the preparation rhythm.

Outcome scenarios are straightforward and based on observable signals: a strong home performance that restores the pre-defeat momentum would reinforce the push for European places, while another setback for the visitors would leave them deeper in trouble in the relegation fight. Several selection questions are explicitly unsettled and labeled as such in the manager’s updates; those will be clarified only when the official matchday list is published.