Real Sociedad step up in Germany with Cologne double-header | OneFootball

Real Sociedad step up their pre-season in Germany this weekend with a Cologne double-header as they tune up for Betis on Friday 21.

According to Diario Vasco, they fly on Friday to face Cologne twice, at 18.00 behind closed doors and 15.30 on Saturday, the latter streamed on the club's YouTube.

Friday's game is at the Franz-Kremer-Stadion and will not be viewable live, though the club plan to share footage and updates. Players could log more than an hour again, so two largely separate XIs are likely, with some Sanse involvement across both.

Saturday's match is at the 50,000-capacity RheinEnergieStadion. Based on last year, everything suggests Matarazzo may lean on more regulars in that second fixture.

La Real travel without Guedes, sidelined for a few days after a minor personal operation, and he could rejoin training early next week. The final tune-up is Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.

The positive note is Kubo, who is set to be included and should play his first pre-season minutes after a knee sprain suffered in Japan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands. He has followed a tailored plan and will be in perfect condition for the La Cartuja opener, though whether he starts remains to be seen.

Balda and Dani Díaz have dropped back to Sanse and will not feature again with the seniors, as the reserves open next weekend against Castellón. Further releases from the first-team group could follow.

Source: Diario Vasco

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