Valencia’s meeting with Real Sociedad arrives at Mestalla with the feel of a cup occasion as much as a seventh-round LaLiga fixture. Two clubs with long memories in Spain’s top division, they also share the distinction of having interrupted the modern Copa del Rey grip of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Valencia lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2018, while La Real celebrated in Seville in 2019 and again in 2025.
The match kicks off at 21:00 at Mestalla, a stadium that holds close to 49,419 and whose response will be closely watched amid Valencia’s sporting and social uncertainty. José Luis Munuera Montero will referee, with Luis Mario Milla assigned to video review duties. The game will be shown live on Movistar+.
For Valencia coach Óscar Sánchez, the task is to reconnect the side with a crowd capable of changing the atmosphere of an evening on the Mediterranean coast. “When Mestalla catches fire, it is something extraordinary and it wins matches,” he said. “We have to light the fuse, so supporters recover their belief and excitement. Together, team and fans must carry each other forward. When the squad and the public are united, Mestalla is difficult and opponents feel it.”
Real Sociedad travel south after a European defeat, but Pellegrino Matarazzo insisted his group had taken the right steps to recover. “First, we have to talk and ask how everyone feels,” he said. “Then we must be ready for what comes next. The process has been good and the players are engaged. Performing well is not enough; we have to start winning.”
Teams set for Mestalla
Valencia begin with Stole Dimitrievski in goal behind a defence of Maffeo, Pepelu, De Haas and captain José Gayà. Mayol and Guido Rodríguez form the central base, with Ugrinic, Javi Guerra and Danjuma supporting Hugo Duro. Kan Ovelen, Iker Córdoba, Arnau Martínez, Panach, Jesús Vázquez, Dieng, Harvey Elliott, Dani Raba, Blázquez, Otorbi, Rioja and Sato are available from the bench.
La Real name Remiro between the posts, with Aramburu, Beitia, Jon Martín and Sergio Gómez across the back line. Guedes, Gorrotxategui, Soler and Ochieng occupy midfield roles, while captain Mikel Oyarzabal joins Sucic in attack. Marrero, Aihen Muñoz, Jon Pachecho, Sarr, Héctor Fort, Turrientes, Herrera, Zakharyan, Barrenetxea, Óskarsson, Kubo and Alex Marchal make up Matarazzo’s substitutes.
It is a meeting of two sides seeking more than a polished display: Valencia need momentum in their own stadium, while Real Sociedad are looking to turn encouragement into results after their continental setback.
