Fort in line for first Real Sociedad start in Europa League opener | OneFootball

Real Sociedad open their Europa League group on Thursday at 21:00 against Bournemouth at Anoeta, with Héctor Fort in line for a first start.

According to AS, the 20-year-old right-back arrived this summer alongside centre-back Mamadou Sarr. He has played only nine official minutes so far, at Martínez Valero against Elche on La Liga matchday four.

His chance stems from Jon Aramburu’s enforced absence, the regular on the right of the txuri-urdin defence, who must serve a one-match continental suspension. As the team have not played in Europe since 2025, Thursday’s game triggers the ban.

The suspension dates back to 13 March 2025, in the Europa League last-16 second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Aramburu was shown a straight red on 63 minutes for a foul on Patrick Dorgu. Real Sociedad lost 4-1 and went out 5-2 on aggregate.

With the Venezuelan unavailable for the continental opener, the assignment would mark Fort’s first real examination at this level.

Source: AS

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