Real Sociedad step up in Zubieta while awaiting their chosen centre-back | OneFootball

With three weeks until the Estadio de La Cartuja opener against Real Betis, Real Sociedad have stepped up pre-season in Zubieta without new signings on the pitch. According to AS, exits are progressing while arrivals wait.

The club declined options on Duje Ćaleta-Car and Wesley Gassova. Brais Méndez, Mikel Rodríguez and Carlos Fernández have also departed, with further exits possible.

Injured Pablo Marín is training apart after a mid-July hamstring problem. Jon Gorrotxategi has pubis discomfort, and Jon Balda is still not ready for a friendly.

After rest on Sunday and Monday, the squad return on Tuesday at 15:00, then work at 11:00 on Wednesday and Thursday. The club are confident the first reinforcement will arrive soon and be in defence, with Czech centre-back Ladislav Krejčí among the options. Talks with Wolverhampton look complex, and alternatives are in reserve.

Two friendlies against Cologne follow in Germany, on Friday at 18:00 at the Franz-Kremer Stadion, then Saturday at 15:30 at the RheinEnergieStadion. The team will fly home afterwards and rest on Sunday.

Pellegrino Matarazzo is drilling pressing after loss, fitness and defensive automatisms, seen as the team’s Achilles heel. The New Jersey coach wants an aggressive unit that wins the ball high and moves it quickly, rotating minutes to reach the Sevilla opener in rhythm.

Source: AS