Who: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad
Content: Spanish La Liga
Location: Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Date and time: Saturday, February 14th, 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll bring you everything on Al Jazeera Sports from 17:00 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid career is yet to take off, but the English right-back could be a key piece for the Spanish giants in the second half of the season after regaining form after injury.
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Alexander-Arnold has the chance to become a key part of the club’s bid for silver medals, with the team still finding form after manager Alvaro Arbeloa took over in January.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s in-form Real Sociedad visit the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday in La Liga in what is expected to be an interesting fixture.
Arbeloa’s Madrid are aiming to go top of La Liga with two points behind Barcelona before the Catalans visit Girona on Monday.
Al Jazeera Sports will feature Saturday’s La Liga headline matches.
Will Alexander-Arnold start for Real Madrid against Sociedad?
Former Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench when Madrid beat Valencia last weekend, could start for the first time since December 3.
He had a decent early start for Madrid at last year’s Club World Cup, but hamstring and thigh injuries have hampered his return, limiting him to just 12 appearances in all competitions this season.
After Alexander-Arnold’s return, manager Arbeloa said, “(He) has been out for a long time, so we will proceed with the game carefully.” Spanish newspaper AS reported that Madrid’s goal is to start the match against Benfica in the Champions League play-off round on February 17.
Even if Arbeloa starts veteran Dani Carvajal or youngster David Jimenez against Real Sociedad, it is expected that Alexander-Arnold will get more important minutes.
How is Real Sociedad doing in La Liga this season?
Real Sociedad are unbeaten in nine games but sit eighth in the table, 14 points adrift of fourth place and the all-important UEFA Champions League qualification.
But Matarazzo’s side defeated champions Barcelona last month and this week beat rivals Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semi-finals, taking a step towards a place in the Copa del Rey final.
Sociedad also defeated Basque country rivals Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Will Vinicius and Mbappé’s dinner make Madrid think?
Real Madrid are hoping for a bonding dinner to help them win La Liga and Champions League trophies at the end of the season.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos told reporters that Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé paid the bill at a restaurant in Madrid on Tuesday. According to Spanish media reports, the tab’s transaction value exceeded 1,000 euros ($1,100).
Vinicius posted a photo of the entire team during a dinner at an exclusive venue near the city center that features the Art Dining Club.
After dinner, fans waited outside the restaurant to talk with the players, and the dinner party continued well past midnight.
According to Spanish media, coach Alvaro Arbeloa and his assistants did not attend the dinner.
The show of unity came a week before Madrid faced Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage. The team lost 4-2 to Benfica in the final round of the league, dropping out of the top eight that would automatically qualify for the round of 16.
Defender Raul Asensio told the media after dinner that the team was “very united”.
Why has Real Madrid struggled this season?
Madrid experienced turmoil at the end of last year, with some players reportedly at odds with manager Xabi Alonso.
Under Arbeloa, Madrid were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey by second division Albacete, and lost to Benfica in a game that relegated the team to the Champions League knockout play-offs.
With the Bernabéu crowd having been in a bad mood for their side in recent weeks, the local side could be entrenched in their chances of moving into the top spot.
How is the La Liga battle going for Real Madrid and Barcelona?
Madrid have won seven games in a row and are now one point behind leaders Barcelona.
Barcelona will aim for a fourth straight league win against 12th place Girona, which has not won in their last three games.
Barcelona suffered a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey on Thursday, conceding all of their goals in a disastrous first half.
They had won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions before the defeat. The final setback was a 2-1 loss to Sociedad in a league match last month.
Third-placed Atlético will play bottom-placed Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while fourth-placed Villarreal will play mid-table Getafe.
What happened the last time Real Madrid played Sociedad?
Los Blancos faced Sociedad in a La Liga upset in September, winning 2-1.
After Dean Huyssen was sent off in the first half, Kylian Mbappé and Arda Guler scored on either side.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty in the 56th minute gave the home side hope, but they were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
direct confrontation
This is the 184th time the two teams have faced each other, with Madrid winning 103 times and Sociedad taking the spoils in 38 times.
The first match took place in April 1905, with Madrid winning 3-0 in a Copa del Rey encounter.
Real Madrid team news
Mbappe trained separately from the team on Thursday due to a knee problem and was doubtful for Saturday’s match.
He had already been made to work at the gym on Wednesday. The club did not immediately provide details about his condition.
Vinicius was due to return to Madrid after missing the previous league match due to suspension due to a yellow card, but Jude Bellingham will remain sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Real Madrid’s projected starting lineup (4-3-3)
Courtois. Alexander Arnold, Asensio, Huisén, Carreras. Valverde, Choameni, Camavinga. brahim, mbappe, vinicius
Real Sociedad team news
Blaise Mendes is suspended for the trip to Madrid, while Takefusa Kubo and Unai Marrero are sidelined with hamstring and facial injuries respectively.
Arsen Zahariyan, Ander Barenezia and Luka Sutic have had some problems and face late fitness tests.
Real Sociedad expected starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
Remiro; Odriozola, Martín, Caleta Carr, Gomez. Gorochategui, Turrientes. Marin, Soler, Guedes. oyarzabal
