Oyarzabal and Sucic return to Real Sociedad with very different workloads

The international window closed on Tuesday with mixed feelings for Real Sociedad's international contingent. Spain came from behind to beat Croatia in a lively contest and Mikel Oyarzabal finished with a heavy workload, while Luka Sucic watched the whole game from the bench. Meanwhile, Orri Óskarsson continued to establish himself as Iceland's leader in a 0-0 draw against Estonia.

• Former Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino scored twice to turn the match around against Croatia, with an assist from academy product Martín Zubimendi.
• Oyarzabal played the full 90 minutes just five days before the home game against Deportivo de La Coruña.
• Luka Sucic was not used against Spain and ends the international break without added physical strain.
• Orri Óskarsson captained Iceland in the 0-0 draw with Estonia and completed the match.
• The Icelandic striker is suspended for Sunday after being sent off against Valencia in the last league round.

Oyarzabal plays the full match for Spain and faces a quick turnaround

The striker from Eibar completed the entire encounter in Spain's win over Croatia. It was another sign of the trust that head coach Luis de la Fuente places in him, but also a warning for Imanol Alguacil about the minutes he has accumulated. With only four days to prepare for the league fixture, the Real Sociedad captain will return to Zubieta carrying a significant workload.

Real Sociedad host Deportivo de La Coruña at Anoeta on Sunday, a match that demands freshness in the final third. Oyarzabal, a cornerstone of the team's attacking structure, will have little recovery time if he is to be at full strength.

Merino's brace and Zubimendi's assist decide Spain-Croatia

The game in Croatia started badly for Spain after Ivan Perisic opened the scoring. The arrival of Mikel Merino changed everything: the former Real Sociedad midfielder struck twice to complete the comeback. The second goal was set up by Martín Zubimendi, developed in the club's academy and now a regular presence in Spain's midfield.

The connection between players formed at Zubieta was on show again at international level. Merino, now away from Anoeta, keeps proving the attacking instinct that made him one of the most complete Spanish midfielders of recent years.

Luka Sucic: starter in the first game, unused in the next three

The Croatian playmaker had an unusual break. He started Croatia's first match but did not return to the pitch afterwards, including the meeting with Spain. His international involvement ended with minimal physical toll.

For Real Sociedad, that circumstance is a competitive advantage. Sucic will come back to San Sebastián without the fatigue carried by some of his teammates and with a better chance of being fresh for Sunday's game. His ability to operate between the lines and deliver the final pass makes him a valuable asset for the opening stretch of the season.

Óskarsson captains Iceland and stays sharp despite his suspension

Orri Óskarsson wore the captain's armband for Iceland in the goalless draw with Estonia and played the full 90 minutes. Although he did not score on this occasion, his international break has been outstanding: he started all four scheduled matches, completed three of them, and finished with three goals and two assists, confirming his status as the team's main reference.

The striker's situation is unusual. He was sent off in the last LaLiga match against Valencia, so he must serve a suspension and will miss the game against Deportivo. Even so, the minutes he has accumulated with Iceland keep him competitive ahead of a busy October fixture list. The coaching staff sees that rhythm as a positive, even though he cannot be involved on Sunday.

Return to Zubieta shaped by different workloads for the internationals

The three players will rejoin the group on Friday. Oyarzabal will arrive with clear signs of fatigue after playing the whole match for Spain, while Sucic will land with fresh legs. Óskarsson returns in good physical condition, although his suspension will keep him out of the clash with the Galician side.

Real Sociedad face the return of LaLiga with a squad in which international minutes have left a mark. Managing those differences will be one of the first tasks for the coaching staff and fitness coaches, who must balance workloads during a short week of training.