Zubeldia limps out of training and misses Real Sociedad squad with hamstring issue
Igor Zubeldia will miss Real Sociedad's next match after leaving training early with discomfort in his right hamstring. His absence combines with Jon Martín's suspension to leave Imanol Alguacil without both of his main centre-backs. The team loses its second captain just as the defensive unit was delivering its best form.
ByInfoBlaugrana
5 min read
Real Sociedad will be without Igor Zubeldia for their upcoming fixture. The centre-back was forced to end his final training session early at Zubieta after feeling discomfort in his right hamstring, and he has been left out of the matchday squad. His absence comes on top of Jon Martín's suspension, leaving Imanol Alguacil without both of his regular central defenders.
- Igor Zubeldia felt pain in his right hamstring during training and had to stop early.
- Real Sociedad had already lost Jon Martín to suspension, making it two major absences in the heart of defence.
- Zubeldia was the third most-used outfield player in the squad this season.
- Sarr, Pacheco and Beitia are the main candidates to form an untested centre-back pairing.
- Pablo Marín remains out of the squad, while Gorka Carrera and Aitor Fraga are included after being named starters for the reserve team.
Right hamstring issue stops Zubeldia in his best stretch of form
Zubeldia was enjoying one of his strongest campaigns since establishing himself in the first team. His defensive output had clearly improved compared with the previous season, making him a key part of Imanol's setup. Only two teammates have clocked more minutes than him this term.
The setback arrives just when his body has asked him to slow down, and the club has no intention of ignoring that warning. Losing such an important player at this stage of the schedule disrupts the coach's plans, especially with the back line already stretched.
Defence left short as suspension and injury hit at the same time
Jon Martín's ban already forced a change in the middle of the back four. With Zubeldia now sidelined too, the situation has become far more complicated: Imanol needs two starting centre-backs rather than one. The defensive puzzle has become the main talking point at Zubieta this week.
Sarr, Pacheco and Beitia compete for two places in the starting line-up
The candidates to fill the central defensive roles are Mamadou Sarr, Luken Beitia and Jon Pacheco. Unless Imanol decides to move Aramburu inside, one of those three will miss out. Either way, Real Sociedad will field a centre-back pairing that has not shared official minutes together all season.
Recent evidence does not offer much encouragement. Sarr had to be replaced before the hour mark in Elche after suffering from cramps and a lack of competitive rhythm. Pacheco played only 20 minutes that same day, his only league action so far; to find him with more game time you have to go back to the friendly against Toulouse in late July, when he featured for 55 minutes.
Beitia arrives with the sharpest recent workload of the three: he completed the full 90 minutes at the Bernabéu and repeated that with the reserve side against Tenerife last Saturday. That continuity gives him a competitive edge over two teammates with far fewer minutes in their legs.
Carrera and Fraga named in the squad after starting for the reserves
Zubeldia's unexpected absence has not prompted Imanol to rush Pablo Marín back. The midfielder is training with the group again but is not ready to be included in the list. The decision confirms that the coaching staff prefer to avoid any unnecessary risk with his recovery.
What has raised eyebrows is the inclusion of Gorka Carrera and Aitor Fraga among the 24 players selected. Both had just been announced as starters for the reserve team's match in Andorra, scheduled for 14:00. Their presence in the first-team squad means they must make an express journey back to be available to Imanol.
An untested pairing for a demanding fixture
Real Sociedad will face their next match with a completely rebuilt centre of defence. None of the possible combinations between Sarr, Pacheco and Beitia has been tested in an official game this season. Beitia and Pacheco have shared only around 50 minutes during pre-season, which shows how little experience they have together.
Imanol must choose between Sarr's physical uncertainty, Pacheco's lack of activity and Beitia's momentum. Whatever the decision, the defensive assurance Zubeldia offered — and his ability to lead from the back — will be impossible to replace immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What injury does Igor Zubeldia have?
Zubeldia experienced discomfort in his right hamstring during training at Zubieta and had to leave the session early. The club has not revealed the full extent of the issue, but the problem has ruled him out of the matchday squad.
Why is Jon Martín not in the Real Sociedad squad?
Jon Martín is suspended for the next match, which makes him the other key absence in central defence. His ban coincides with Zubeldia's injury and leaves Imanol Alguacil without both of his usual centre-backs.
Who will start at centre-back for Real Sociedad without Zubeldia and Jon Martín?
The main options are Mamadou Sarr, Luken Beitia and Jon Pacheco. Two of them are expected to form an untried partnership, unless Imanol Alguacil decides to move Aramburu into central defence.