Real Sociedad already eyes Thursday’s European return against Belgium’s Union Saint‑Gilloise (18:45). Fresh off a crucial win over Deportivo at Anoeta, Matarazzo repeats last week’s successful formula, adding a rest day plus extra evening drills. Can they keep the momentum?
Monday’s holiday will be a quiet break before training resumes at 18:00 on Tuesday, granting extra recovery time. That first session kicks off the inaugural European trip of the Matarazzo era, with a preparatory workout scheduled for Wednesday at 19:30 on Den Dreef – the Leuven venue Union Saint‑Gilloise uses for continental matches. I think the added session will sharpen their edge. Previously, Imanol mixed morning work in Zubieta with travel, mirroring the plan now adopted by Matarazzo, as seen in the recent Old Trafford outing.
Real will monitor the fitness of fringe players such as Héctor Fort, who arrived just in time for the league fixture, Marchal, omitted after a single training, and Luken Beitia, nursing a post‑match injury that left him limping and awaiting tests. Will the squad stay fit for the knockout?