San Sebastián returns to a European rhythm on Sunday night, with Anoeta lit for Real Sociedad’s first UEFA Europa League fixture in a year and a half. The Copa del Rey triumph last season reopened the continental door for the Basque club, and Bournemouth arrive at 21:00 local time for their first experience of European competition.
Pellegrino Matarazzo has not hidden the scale of Real Sociedad’s hopes. Frankfurt, host city for the Europa League final, is only an hour from his home, a detail put back to him before the Bournemouth match. The coach noted that he still lives in the same place, but insisted that distant thoughts must wait.
“We have to begin at the beginning,” Matarazzo said. “There are eight matches, and each has its own importance and weight. We want to finish in the top eight. Our goals are ambitious, and that is a very positive thing. I do not think about limits, only about this team’s potential.”
A European night at Anoeta
Approximately 40,000 supporters can fit inside Anoeta, where a strong crowd is expected for the opening league-phase match. Poland’s Pawel Raczkowski will referee the game, with fellow Pole Tomasz Kwiatkowski operating as the VAR official.
For Bournemouth, the trip across the Bay of Biscay marks a new chapter. The English side begin their first European campaign with a starting side led by Evanilson and Justin Kluivert, while Real Sociedad place Mikel Oyarzabal and Orri Óskarsson at the front of their own attack.
The teams in San Sebastián
| Real Sociedad | Bournemouth |
|---|---|
| Marrero | Petrovic |
| Beitia, Jon Martín, Sarr, Sergio Gómez | Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert |
| Fort, Turrientes, Herrera, Barrene | Rayan, Scott, Adams, Tavernier |
| Oyarzabal, Óskarsson | Evanilson, Kluivert |
Real Sociedad’s substitutes are Remiro, Aihen, Gorrotxa, Guedes, Ochieng, Take, Marín, Pacheco, Soler, Zakharyan, Sucic and Marchal. Bournemouth have Di Gregorio, Allan, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Christie, Gannon-Doak, Diakité, Tóth and Rodríguez available from the bench.
The contest is the first of eight league-phase assignments for both clubs, with Real Sociedad seeking an early foothold in a competition that has once again brought the wider European map to Anoeta.
