La Real’s first real test as Celta visit, signings in squad | OneFootball

La Real aim to ease early doubts by beating Celta tonight at Anoeta at 21:00, with both summer signings named and the key men available. According to Diario Vasco, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side are chasing a second straight win after Saturday’s therapeutic victory over Espanyol.

With the peculiar window finally closed, Sarr and Fort are in the squad, fringe players have moved on and room has opened for leading academy talent. Guedes and Gorrotxategi might still be short of sharpness and Oyarzabal may need a touch more, but the long awaited version is here. The surprise omission is Jon Pacheco, the squad’s only left-footed centre-back, who chose to stay despite offers.

Only Odriozola and Marín miss out, along with Matarazzo and his assistant Toprak after stoppage time dismissals against Espanyol. They will watch from the stands, in contact with Australian John Maisano, head coach for the night.

With three points from nine after a hesitant start, this carries extra weight against a Celta side of similar profile, again at the remodelled Anoeta. With five days since the last game, the XI should resemble the one that beat Espanyol, with Oyarzabal and Oskarsson up front. Yangel Herrera could return, while Kubo and Guedes are in contention.

Mamadou Sarr might also be used, a centre-back with power, pace and a taste for duels. Shoring up the defence is urgent, with La Real conceding in 12 straight competitive matches and posting only three clean sheets in 38 last season.

Celta arrive off a 0-2 home defeat to Athletic after a calamitous first half that prompted Claudio Giráldez to make four changes at the break. They are without injured Febas and Iglesias, and new signing Cáceres is not yet ready. It is a first call-up for Morocco forward Couhaib Driouech from PSV.

John Toshack used to say La Real’s season starts after the Bandera de la Concha. With everyone finally available, tonight feels like the real beginning. Elche on Monday, then Atlético at home, and the wheel hardly stops until May.

Source: Diario Vasco

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