La Real conduct fitness tests at Zubieta, Zubeldia still absent | OneFootball

On day two of the second week of the current break, La Real carried out physical testing at Zubieta, with 12 available first-team players and Zubeldia still absent. The work gauged fitness and progression since pre-season began in early July.

According to Diario Vasco, club footage showed Pacheco, Aihen, Soler, Turrientes, Guedes, Gorrotxategi, Barrenetxea, Sergio Gómez, Héctor Fort and Zakharyan undergoing tests, including ear-prick blood sampling to measure lactate. Players also ran timed laps with a stopwatch. Goalkeepers Remiro and Marrero worked separately on specific drills.

The edited video featured no Sanse players, not even regulars Fraga and Beitia. It remains to be seen whether Matarazzo turns to the centre-back from Elgoibar for Friday’s derby or lets him feature for Sanse, given Kazunari Kita’s enforced absence through suspension against Granada. It also remains unclear if the American coach will consider the two B-team players who are suspended, Kita and Arkakaitz Mariezkurrena, for the derby with Athletic.

In all, Matarazzo faces 11 absences this week and for the derby, the nine internationals plus injured pair Zubeldia and Odriozola. The defender remains hampered by right hamstring discomfort that kept him out against Atlético, Bournemouth and Valencia.

The first internationals to return will be Ochieng and Kubo, who play their final matches for their national teams tomorrow.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”