Castellón set to stick with familiar XI for opener at Real Sociedad B | OneFootball

Castellón are poised to begin the league campaign with a near-unchanged starting XI when they visit Real Sociedad B in Zubieta on Friday at 20:30. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, all signs point to Pablo Hernández keeping changes to a minimum despite 11 summer signings.

The approach fits the Haralabos Voulgaris era, integrating recruits gradually and avoiding wholesale tweaks. Only Álvaro Martín and Iñigo Córdoba are in strong contention to start, with the rest expected to wait.

The XI is set to mirror the side used in the final friendly against Hércules, and remain close to the team that ended last season in Almería in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals, a 3-2 defeat. Only minor adjustments are anticipated, including Lucas Alcázar for Fabrizio Brignani, who faces a long lay-off.

Probable XI: Romain Matthys in goal, a back line of Jérémy Mellot and Lucas Alcázar out wide with Agustín Sienra and Alberto Jiménez inside. Diego Barri partners Álvaro Martín in midfield, with Iñigo Córdoba on the right and Raúl Sánchez on the left. Up front, Adam Jakobsen teams with Ousmane Camara.

Castellón have lost three mainstays from last season, Beñat Gerenabarrena, Álex Calatrava and Brian Cipenga, so continuity carries added weight. The staff have rebuilt positions progressively across pre-season.

New signings are expected to adapt physically, tactically and competitively before taking on bigger roles in Castellón’s specific ecosystem. Defender Ilias Kostis still needs several weeks to reach full fitness, so his involvement should be phased in.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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