Real Sociedad return to Europe in style against Bournemouth | OneFootball

Real Sociedad return to the Europa League after a season out, hosting Bournemouth at Anoeta at 21.00. The Copa del Rey win put them back on the continental map. Bournemouth arrive for the first European match in their history.

Their last continental outing was on 13 March at Old Trafford, overshadowed by referee Benoit Bastien. The ambition is to move beyond the last 16. After lifting the Cup, Rino Matarazzo even checked the Europa League final venue in Frankfurt, and, according to Diario Vasco, AI projections make Bournemouth competition favourites.

Finishing in the top eight would skip February’s play-off, but the opener is a stern test with about 2,000 travelling fans. Anoeta needs to be a stronghold, and league crowds have topped 30,000 so far.

Matarazzo said he will pick his strongest side, though some rotation could appear. Aramburu is suspended and Zubeldia is not yet ready despite training in recent days. Héctor Fort will start, Jon Martín is in contention, and Sergio is expected to hold the left.

With Guedes, Barrenetxea and Kubo short of their best, a back three with Fort and Sergio wide is one option. That would mean a midfield trio and two up front, with Oyarzabal certain and Óskarsson a possibility. Workload management could also bring Marchal or Ochieng into the side.

Bournemouth are likely to field their strongest available team, with Araujo, Milosavljevic, Adli and Junior Kroupi out. A possible XI is Petrovic, Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert, Cook, Scott, Rayan, Kluivert, Tavernier and Evanilson.

Source: Diario Vasco

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