Real head into the derby with almost a full squad

With three days to go before the derby, Real continue their preparations with almost a full squad. Pellegrino Matarazzo worked with 23 players, joined by Aitor Fraga and Álex Marchal, regular members of Sanse. Luken Beitia, who had been playing regularly for Real, remains injured. Sunday’s match will be played in Bilbao, and Odriozola is the only first-team player Matarazzo cannot call on for the trip to San Mamés.

The depth of the squad gives Matarazzo several options for his starting XI, while also making the selection more difficult, according to the account of the training session. The team continued to prepare for the fixture, with the derby and San Mamés adding particular significance to the occasion. Athletic Club will play at home, adding to the stakes of this Basque encounter.

Real’s form adds to the interest in the match. Real Sociedad are fifth on 19 points, while Athletic Club have 12. The latter do have a game in hand against Rayo Vallecano; a win in that match would leave them four points behind.

The derby will also be the first tactical meeting in Spain between Matarazzo and Terzic. Real have an opportunity to strengthen their bid for European places, while their opponents can close the gap in the standings. The match therefore brings together a side on a positive run and an Athletic team that can still move closer by playing its game in hand.

Beñat Turrientes recalled scoring at San Mamés in a Copa semi-final: «Scoring a goal at San Mamés to win a Copa semi-final was an incredible moment for me, my family and my friends. […] It was very special, and I hope I can do it again.» The midfielder also spoke about how good form affects a team’s approach: «When we are in a good run and the team is playing so well, you go into matches differently. It will be difficult; it is a derby at San Mamés. […] We will go for the three points.»