Barrenetxea fit to play at the Bernabéu | OneFootball

Real Sociedad’s opening-day loss to Betis brought two scares, but Ander Barrenetxea is not injured and will be available for Wednesday’s visit to the Santiago Bernabéu, the second league match against Real Madrid. Jon Mikel Aramburu will also be available.

Barrenetxea, heavily used in pre-season, asked to come off before the hour at La Cartuja after a final sprint and left with calf discomfort, the club even bandaged him on the pitch. Diario Vasco reports that he arrived at Zubieta yesterday much improved, with no injury detected and no tests required.

His starting place in Madrid remains uncertain, with Espanyol at Anoeta on Saturday at 19.00 and fewer than 72 hours between games. Matarazzo’s other left-sided option, Guedes, has yet to play in pre-season, so a start at the Bernabéu is ruled out. Marchal, a debutant against Betis, could therefore come into contention.

Aramburu twisted a knee while blocking a Riquelme effort but completed the 90 minutes. It is a minor knock and he came through yesterday’s recovery session, and he should have no problems taking part in the next practice in Zubieta.

This matters because Matarazzo has no other natural right-backs. Rupérez has moved to Sanse and was not in the squad, Real have yet to add cover for Aramburu, Odriozola is out until early 2027 and Marín, tried on the right last season, remains sidelined after the Chelsea friendly. Without Aritz Elustondo, he may have to turn to Beitia or Zubeldia, neither a specialist full-back.

Matarazzo has given the squad today off, leaving only two sessions to prepare. Training resumes at Zubieta tomorrow at 15.00, with a final run on Tuesday before travelling to Madrid on matchday. Early in the week the focus will be on Guedes, and with more training it will be seen whether he can be named in the Bernabéu squad.

Source: Diario Vasco

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