Jon Martín ban opens door for Sarr to keep his place | OneFootball

According to Diario Vasco, the federation’s disciplinary committee has given Jon Martín a one-match ban for his straight red at Elche, ruling him out of Atlético Madrid’s visit to Anoeta on Sunday. Real Sociedad did not appeal referee Ortiz Arias’s report.

Matarazzo had rested Martín to manage a packed schedule, expecting him back this weekend. That plan has been scuppered.

The door is open for Mamadou Sarr to continue on the left of central defence with Igor Zubeldia, though Luken Beitia and Jon Pacheco are alternatives.

On debut, Sarr let an early ball run, lost it and conceded a two-on-one. He kept his passing safe and it was his first competitive outing since 7 March.

His front-foot defending stopped the back line from dropping. He tracked Ponce high upfield, completed 97% of his passes and recorded a top speed of 33.7 km/h.

Fitness was the concern. He asked to be replaced and went off on 58 minutes, before Martín was sent off 2 minutes 54 seconds after coming on, the fastest red card in the club’s history.

With six days between matches, Matarazzo must pick between Sarr, Beitia or Pacheco. Beitia’s only league minutes this season came away at Real Madrid, while Pacheco is the sole left-footed centre-back but has only 21 plus seven added from Elche.

He cannot field the Copa-winning centre-back pair against Atlético Madrid, as Martín is banned and Caleta-Car now plays for Sassuolo in Serie A.

Whoever starts will likely have to contain Julián Álvarez, who could make his first league start as he aims to make amends with his supporters. Former Real striker Sorloth looks set to remain injured.

Source: Diario Vasco

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