Real Sociedad Vs Real Oviedo: Confirmed lineups and Matarazzo's five changes

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 21, 2026 2:51 PM ET

Lineups have been confirmed ahead of the LaLiga meeting, with the match billed as real sociedad vs real oviedo and drawing attention because Pellegrino Matarazzo has made five changes to his side while Oviedo are missing a suspended midfielder. The selections shape clear tactical matchups at Anoeta and set expectations for how both coaches will approach the game.

Real Sociedad Vs Real Oviedo

Pellegrino Matarazzo fielded a largely restored starting XI after recent rotations, reverting to a more familiar spine from the strong run before the trip to the Santiago Bernabéu. The confirmed Real Sociedad lineup lists Álex Remiro in goal; a back four with Jon Mikel Aramburu, Jon Martín, Duje Caleta-Car and Sergio Gómez; Jon Gorrotxategi, Beñat Turrientes and Brais Méndez in midfield; and Gonçalo Guedes, Pablo Marín and Mikel Oyarzabal in attack. That selection emphasizes continuity in personnel and structure while keeping some players on the bench as the coach manages recent fitness concerns.

Matarazzo makes five changes

The coach made five changes from the side that faced Real Madrid, bringing Caleta-Car and Sergio Gómez into the backline in place of other options and restoring Brais Méndez to the starting midfield after a suspension. Turrientes replaced a different midfield option and Guedes returned on the wing. One notable absence from the matchday XI was Carlos Soler, who has not trained fully this week amid family and illness matters and was left out of the starting selection. The tactical note in the confirmed list is a preference for a double pivot pairing drawn from the club's usual structure and the use of a proven central defender to handle direct balls into the box.

Oviedo absences and midfield reshuffle

Oviedo arrive with clear personnel constraints. Santiago Colombatto is suspended for the match and will be replaced in the double pivot, while David Costas remains out injured and the club has chosen to avoid risking Ovie Ejaria. Daniel Fonseca is set to cover Colombatto's role alongside Kwasi Sibo, who edged ahead in the competition for that position. The rest of Oviedo's starting XI mirrors the team that fell to Athletic at the Carlos Tartiere in the previous round, with Aarón Escandell in goal; a central pairing featuring Eric Bailly and David Carmo; and Fede Viñas leading the attack.

Those confirmed absences mean Oviedo will be more reliant on direct play toward their forward and on the defensive work of the central pairing. The choices made in the XI reflect an attempt to remain competitive despite the suspensions and injuries.

Key match dynamics and what to watch

The selection decisions highlight two focal points. For the home side, continuity in the midfield double pivot and a restored central defender are set up to counter Oviedo's aerial and direct deliveries aimed at Fede Viñas. For the visitors, the midfield reshuffle will test their ability to contest possession and feed quick transitions. The branding around the fixture as a straightforward, familiar encounter—labelled the "pan y la mantequilla" match—underscores expectations of a traditional, vertical contest rather than an experimental tactical battle.

With confirmed lineups in place, immediate indicators to follow once play starts will be the effectiveness of the double pivot in limiting transitions and the success rate of direct balls toward the away striker. If the home midfield maintains its recent form, the match could tilt in favour of the team that established the stronger recent run; if Oviedo's makeshift midfield holds, the visitors may secure the set-piece and direct-play advantages they seek.

Key takeaways: