Matarazzo has up to 11 good options to complete a starting XI with 8 almost certain

Matarazzo has eight near-certain starters for tomorrow's Basque derby at San Mamés but faces tough calls on the remaining three spots, with 11 strong candidates competing.

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Matarazzo confirmed in his pre-match press conference that squad depth is giving him selection headaches ahead of tomorrow's Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. "I have many options, which complicates my work but I prefer that to having no decisions to make," he said.

Eight players are considered near-certain starters: goalkeeper Remiro, defenders Jon Martín, Sarr and Sergio Gómez, midfielder Gorrotxategi, and attackers Sucic, Oyarzabal and Guedes. The remaining three spots are genuinely contested. Jon Mikel Aramburu is the likely ninth, offering the perfect defensive profile to mark Nico Williams, though captain Igor Zubeldia is an alternative. In midfield, Carlos Soler's place is no longer guaranteed after reduced playing time; Yangel (returning from minor injury) and Turrientes (in excellent form) are strong contenders. In attack, five players are fighting for one or two spots: Barrenetxea (strong in derbies), Kubo, Óskarsson (on a three-game scoring run), Ochieng and Marín. The lineup remains genuinely uncertain, which Matarazzo views as a sign of squad health.