Real Sociedad balancing Chelsea trip and Castellón opener as Sanse face potential absences | OneFootball

CD Castellón could face a weakened Sanse on Friday, with Real Sociedad’s first team playing Chelsea the next afternoon. El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that only 18 and a half hours separate kick-off in Zubieta at 20.30 on 14 August and Stamford Bridge at 15.00 in Spain, 14.00 in London.

Twelve Sanse players began pre-season with Pellegrino Matarazzo, though that group has shifted. Mikel Rodríguez has joined Deportivo Alavés, Tomy Carbonell and Jon Balda are back with the reserves, and others, including Kazunari Kita and Dani Díaz, have alternated.

Jon Ansotegi’s side lost 2-1 to Real Zaragoza last Saturday, with eight regulars absent, among them Álex Marchal, Ibai Aguirre, Luken Beitia, Alex Lebarbier, Job Ochieng, Dani Díaz, Kazunari Kita and Gorka Carrera. Aitor Fraga and Carbonell played the full match.

Marchal currently looks closest to the seniors after starting against Racing, Aston Villa and in the second Köln friendly alongside Barrenetxea and Óskarsson, where he was involved in the goal. Aguirre is another leading candidate, with Jon Gorrotxategi’s pubis problem leaving a gap at pivot and the midfielder featuring regularly.

Carrera has been used throughout and struck almost instantly against Aston Villa from a Díaz assist. With Oyarzabal and Karrikaburu back, his place on Friday is uncertain. Beitia could also stay up, especially if Jon Pacheco’s adductor issue lingers.

Lebarbier and Ochieng sit on the fence given first-team returns for Pablo Marín, Mikel Goti, Kubo and Oyarzabal. Díaz and Kita now seem likelier to feature for Sanse.

Fraga was deliberately kept in Donostia for the Zaragoza friendly while Theo Folgado filled the third keeper slot in Germany. If the same policy applies for Chelsea, Fraga should face Castellón unless there is a problem with Remiro or Marrero. Ansotegi may be left waiting on three to five players being reserved for London.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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