Academy offers four alternatives for Barrenetxea's absence

Real Sociedad manager Matarazzo has four academy options to cover for injured winger Barrenetxea: Ochieng, Marchal, Díaz and Astiazaran.

Ander Barrenetxea's long-term injury has forced Real Sociedad to assess their options for covering the winger position. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo has four academy prospects available at Zubieta alongside first-team regulars Gonçalo Guedes and Take Kubo.

Job Ochieng, 23, has already integrated into the first team this season with 416 minutes across nine league games and two Europa League appearances, contributing one goal and three assists. The Kenyan winger relies on pace, power and explosiveness to attack space. Álex Marchal, 19, has featured in five league matches (112 minutes) and impressed in preseason with his agility and tactical awareness between the lines.

Dani Díaz, a 20-year-old left winger at Real Sociedad's B team, has one goal and five assists in 13 LaLiga Hypermotion games. He made his senior debut in March 2025 against Valladolid under Imanol Alguacil and has previous experience in cup competitions.

Lander Astiazaran, also 20, offers mobility and box arrival with 909 minutes across 12 B-team games (three goals, one assist), though he has not yet featured for the first team this season.