Real Sociedad kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday with a home fixture against Bournemouth at Anoeta. This League Stage opener is a significant test for a side looking to respond after a heavy 0-3 defeat to Atletico Madrid last weekend.
The San Sebastian club currently sit 13th in La Liga, having taken seven points from their first six matches. Their most recent result was that comprehensive loss at home to Atletico, which exposed defensive vulnerabilities. That back line will now be tested without two key figures, as Igor Zubeldia and Álvaro Odriozola are both ruled out through injury. Zubeldia is sidelined with a muscle issue until the end of September, while Odriozola faces a long-term absence with a cruciate ligament injury.
Bournemouth arrive after a 2-2 draw with Brentford in the Premier League. The English side also has a lengthy injury list, including midfielder Amine Adli and forward Eli Junior Kroupi. Their typical 4-2-3-1 setup features players like striker Evanilson and playmaker M. Tavernier.
Real Sociedad will aim to sharpen their attacking output, where Luka Sučić is the team's top scorer this season with two goals. The Croatian netted the winner in his side's last victory, the 3-2 win at Elche. For this match, manager Imanol Alguacil could make changes to the starting eleven that lost to Atletico, where Sergio Gómez and Jon Aramburu filled the full-back roles.
The schedule offers little respite, as La Real travel to face Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday following this European tie. Fans can track the squad's availability and the upcoming fixture list on our squad and fixtures pages. The immediate goal is to secure their first points in Europe and rebuild confidence at home.
