Real Sociedad vs Levante: Can La Real’s Attacking Momentum Overcome a Newly Confident Levante?
Competition: LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 — Matchday 10
Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Venue: Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastián
Kick-off: 18:30 CEST
The contrast is not simply between fifth and eleventh place; it is between a Real Sociedad side building momentum and a Levante team arriving with renewed belief after an important league victory. Real Sociedad have collected 16 points from nine matches, scoring 17 goals, while Levante have 10 points and have also scored 15. The hosts have won their last three league fixtures and followed their domestic progress with a commanding European performance against Lillestrøm. Levante, meanwhile, beat Athletic Club 3–1 in their previous league match, a result that offered encouragement after a difficult spell. Both sides have reasons to approach this fixture positively, but their methods of controlling it may look very different.
For Pellegrino Matarazzo, the challenge is to maintain Real Sociedad’s attacking rhythm without allowing a busy schedule to undermine their intensity. Their recent goal output suggests a side finding several routes into dangerous areas rather than relying on one individual. Mikel Oyarzabal can connect the forward line, Takefusa Kubo offers close control and creativity between the lines, while Ander Barrenetxea and Gonçalo Guedes provide options to stretch the defence. The important detail will be how quickly Real Sociedad move the ball after drawing Levante’s midfield toward one side. If the home team can switch play accurately and deliver runners into the penalty area, the visitors could be forced into repeated defensive adjustments.
Levante’s task is to stay compact without becoming passive. Luís Castro has stressed the quality throughout Real Sociedad’s squad and warned that mistakes can be punished, making concentration especially important around the edge of the box and during transitions. Levante will need their midfielders to protect the central passing lanes while remaining ready to move forward when possession is won. Roger Brugué’s direct running and Iván Romero’s movement offer potential outlets, while the availability of Karl Etta Eyong gives the visitors another attacking option. A disciplined defensive shape could make the hosts work for every opening, but Levante must also find ways to retain the ball long enough to relieve pressure.
The match arrives at a useful point in the season for both clubs. Real Sociedad have an opportunity to consolidate their position in the European places, while Levante can use another competitive display to strengthen their position in the middle of the table. The return of Jon Aramburu and Yangel Herrera to the Real Sociedad squad provides Matarazzo with additional options after injury concerns, although the coach has acknowledged the need to manage player workloads following the European trip. Levante will be without Enzo Bardeli and Dela, reducing their options in midfield and defence. Neither team needs to force the match from the opening minute; the side that manages its defensive distances, second balls and attacking decisions most effectively could gain the crucial advantage.
🩺 Medical Bulletin: Players Missing the Match
Real Sociedad
| Real Sociedad — Official Availability Update | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Player | Injury / Status |
| Long-Term / IR | Álvaro Odriozola | Recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in the previous season; not available for this match. |
Levante UD
| Levante UD — Official Availability Update | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Player | Injury / Status |
| Out / Ruled Out | Enzo Bardeli | Muscle injury; ruled out of the match, with no specific return date announced. |
| Out / Ruled Out | Dela | Physical discomfort and overload; coach Luís Castro confirmed he would miss the match. |
The tables list injuries and absences confirmed in club announcements or pre-match statements. Jon Aramburu and Yangel Herrera have returned to Real Sociedad’s matchday squad. Hugo Sotelo is included in Levante’s official squad list, so he is not classified as ruled out. No player has been labelled questionable without a reliable basis for that status.
🔵 Projected Matchday Elevens and Key Roles
The following are projected starting lineups based on pre-match reporting and squad availability, not confirmed official starting XIs. The clubs’ final team sheets should be checked close to kick-off.
Real Sociedad — Projected XI
| Real Sociedad — Expected Starting Side | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position Group | Player | Key Role |
| Goalkeeper | Álex Remiro | Shot-stopping and initiating build-up |
| Defence | Héctor Fort | Right-side defending and support runs |
| Defence | Jon Martín | Central defending and aerial duels |
| Defence | Mamadou Sarr | Defensive coverage and first pass |
| Defence | Sergio Gómez | Left-side width and progression |
| Midfield | Jon Gorrotxategi | Screening the defence and recycling possession |
| Midfield | Carlos Soler | Passing range and midfield balance |
| Midfield | Luka Sučić | Progressive carries and creative support |
| Attack | Ander Barrenetxea | Wide attacking runs and pressing |
| Attack | Mikel Oyarzabal | Linking play and penalty-area movement |
| Attack | Gonçalo Guedes | Direct running and finishing |
Levante UD — Projected XI
| Levante UD — Expected Starting Side | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position Group | Player | Key Role |
| Goalkeeper | Mathew Ryan | Goalkeeping and organising the back line |
| Defence | Jeremy Toljan | Right-back defending and overlapping |
| Defence | Aïssa Mandi | Central organisation and defensive duels |
| Defence | Ifeanyi Ndukwe | Central defending and covering space |
| Defence | Manu Sánchez | Left-back coverage and forward support |
| Midfield | Oriol Rey | Protecting the defence and retaining possession |
| Midfield | Jon Olasagasti | Midfield circulation and pressing support |
| Midfield | Dani Requena | Ball recovery and forward distribution |
| Attack | Roger Brugué | Wide running and chance creation |
| Attack | Iván Romero | Forward movement and finishing |
| Attack | Petar Ratkov | Centre-forward presence and penalty-area threat |
🎙️ The Message from Both Camps
Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has warned against underestimating Levante, describing them as competitive and pointing to their recent victory over Athletic Club. He also acknowledged the challenge of managing workloads after the European trip, while welcoming the return of Jon Aramburu and Yangel Herrera to the squad. Luís Castro, meanwhile, praised Real Sociedad’s individual quality, saying the hosts have players capable of causing damage in different situations. His message to Levante was direct: maintain concentration, avoid costly mistakes and remain true to the team’s identity. The pre-match comments from both coaches point toward a contest in which discipline and execution could matter as much as attacking ambition.
🧭 Three Tactical Battles Worth Watching
- Real Sociedad’s movement between the lines: Kubo, Sučić and Oyarzabal can make Levante’s defensive shape difficult to maintain if they rotate positions and receive facing goal.
- Levante’s response after winning possession: Brugué and Romero need to provide forward outlets quickly enough to prevent the visitors from being pinned back for long spells.
- Freshness in the closing stages: With Real Sociedad returning from European travel, substitutions and midfield energy could become important as the match develops.
A Test of Patience as Much as Quality
Real Sociedad have the stronger recent run and home advantage, but Levante’s victory over Athletic suggests they should not be treated as a passive opponent. The hosts will try to create sustained pressure through combinations and movement around the box; the visitors will look to stay organised and make their forward transitions count. An early goal could change the tactical picture, but neither side can rely on the match opening up automatically. Real Sociedad must balance ambition with defensive protection, while Levante need the precision Castro has demanded from his players. The match offers both teams a chance to reinforce their progress without making assumptions about the outcome.
