Copa del Rey: Real Sociedad Aims for Final Spot in Basque Derby

Key Takeaways

Real Sociedad aims to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Athletic Bilbao shows improvements with returning players.

Injury to Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta poses a challenge for Athletic.

Mikel Oyarzabal leads Real Sociedad's attack.

Atletico Madrid faces Barcelona in a critical semifinal return leg.

Madrid, March 3 (NationPress) Real Sociedad is poised as the frontrunner to secure a spot in the Copa del Rey final through a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao this Wednesday. In their earlier encounter at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium in February, Real Sociedad triumphed with a score of 1-0, thanks to a goal from Benat Turrientes.

Since that match, Athletic Bilbao has shown significant improvement, aided by the return of key players like Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche, and Oihan Sancet from injuries. Additionally, winger Alex Berenguer made a comeback as a substitute during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.

On the downside, Athletic Bilbao faces concerns as midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is expected to be sidelined after dislocating his shoulder over the weekend, as reported by Xinhua.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, continues to miss winger Takefusa Kubo, but Ander Barrenetxea is back in the lineup after missing the first leg. His presence bolsters coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's options in a dynamic and agile Real Sociedad attack, spearheaded by Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal.

In the other semifinal, Atletico Madrid dominated FC Barcelona with a crushing 4-0 victory in the first leg, with the return match set for Tuesday. Barcelona now faces a daunting challenge to overturn this substantial deficit.

Three weeks later, Barcelona has made a recovery, with Raphinha back to full fitness, Lamine Yamal performing exceptionally, and midfielder Pedri returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the match at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Barcelona also gains confidence from a resounding 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, driven by a hat-trick from Lamine Yamal, with Pedri and Marc Bernal orchestrating play in midfield. However, Frenkie de Jong will miss the game due to a hamstring tear, and Robert Lewandowski is sidelined with a fractured eye socket sustained against Villarreal. On a positive note, Marcus Rashford is set to return after his substitute appearance on Saturday.

Atletico's coach Diego Simeone rested several critical players over the weekend, including defenders David Hancko, Marc Pubill, and Matteo Ruggeri, who were all on the bench during the narrow 1-0 win in Oviedo. Notably, Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, and Koke will all be starting on Tuesday night.

Point of View

The focus remains on the competitive spirit of the Copa del Rey. Real Sociedad's position as favorites adds an exciting dimension to this Basque derby. Athletic Bilbao's challenges due to injuries could influence the outcome, making this match a crucial watch for football fans.

NationPress

10 May 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the favorites in the Copa del Rey semifinal?

Real Sociedad is favored to win against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey semifinal.

What was the result of the last match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao?

Real Sociedad won the last match 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium.

Are there any injury concerns for Athletic Bilbao?

Yes, midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is unlikely to play due to a dislocated shoulder.

What impact do player returns have on the teams?

The return of key players could significantly enhance Athletic Bilbao's performance while Real Sociedad continues to manage the absence of Takefusa Kubo.

When is the return leg for Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona?

The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday following Atletico Madrid's 4-0 win in the first leg.