Aritz back in Real Sociedad XI for Alavés at Anoeta as contract uncertainty persists | OneFootball

Real Sociedad host Alavés at 14:00 on Saturday at Anoeta, their final league outing before the Copa del Rey final. With Europe in mind and a defence stretched by absences, Aritz will return to the starting XI.

According to AS, Jon Martín is suspended and Igor Zubeldia is injured, paving the way for the centre-back. Pellegrino Matarazzo said after the Levante game that he wanted to give Aritz minutes with Alavés in mind.

Now 32, Aritz is enduring a difficult campaign at his boyhood club. He debuted on 17 December 2014 against Oviedo in the cup, but has only played 413 league minutes and 150 in the Copa this season. Even so, he remains one of the captains alongside Mikel Oyarzabal, Zubeldia and Ander Barrenetxea.

His future is unclear. His contract runs to June 2026 and there have been no updates since early February, when sporting director Erik Bretos praised his importance day to day and said the parties had spoken, agreeing to revisit matters without haste.

This start feels like a brief interlude in a season of scant game time. Beyond any club decision, he may have to weigh staying in Gipuzkoa with a leadership role but few minutes against seeking greater prominence elsewhere. For now, his task is to deliver on Saturday before attention turns to Sevilla.

Source: AS