Real Sociedad preseason update: four players to miss full start as Odriozola, Pacheco, Balda and Gorrotxategi progress through recoveries
Real Sociedad preseason update: Four players — Álvaro Odriozola, Jon Pacheco, Jon Balda and Jon Gorrotxategi — will miss or join training gradually while recovering from surgery or injury.
Real Sociedad will begin its preseason preparations without four squad members who are still in recovery, the club confirmed, as Álvaro Odriozola, Jon Pacheco, Jon Balda and Jon Gorrotxategi follow tailored rehabilitation programs. The quartet are at different points in their recoveries: Odriozola remains in long-term rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament surgery, Pacheco is close to returning after an ankle operation, Balda is recovering from an abdominal procedure after a May collision, and Gorrotxategi will be reintegrated gradually because of pubic discomfort from last season.
Odriozola to miss extended period after March 3 ACL operation
Álvaro Odriozola underwent surgery on March 3, 2026, to repair a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sustained in February. That operation followed a period in which the right-back was showing strong form, and the subsequent complication has extended his expected rehabilitation timeline.
Medical staff at the club have stressed that Odriozola’s recovery will be managed conservatively to avoid setbacks, with an emphasis on phased strengthening and functional training. Although the club described a return before the end of 2026 as desirable, no fixed return-to-play date has been set pending progress through key rehabilitation milestones.
Pacheco nearing full training after May 21 ankle surgery
Jon Pacheco is in the final phase of his rehabilitation after undergoing an operation on May 21, 2026, to address a small issue in his right ankle while on loan at Deportivo Alavés. The defender has completed the immediate postoperative period and is progressing through strengthening and conditioning work under supervision.
Coaches and medical staff expect Pacheco to rejoin group sessions soon once he meets range-of-motion and load benchmarks, which include controlled contact work and match-readiness assessments. His quicker timeline offers Real Sociedad a welcome option in defense as the preseason develops.
Balda recovering safely after abdominal intervention following May 11 collision
Jon Balda suffered a strong impact to the left abdominal area — described at the time as affecting the spleen area — during the match against Huesca on May 11, 2026, and subsequently required a short-term abdominal intervention. He remained in hospital for close to two weeks for monitoring and to ensure there were no complications.
The club’s medical reports indicate Balda’s recovery does not carry long-term risk and that he will return to training under a staged plan that prioritizes medical clearance before an increase in competitive activity. Real Sociedad indicated that Balda’s reintegration will follow normal safeguards against undue physical stress.
Gorrotxategi to follow gradual ramp-up because of pubic issues
Jon Gorrotxategi’s case is one of load management rather than acute surgery; during the previous season he experienced intermittent pubic-area discomfort that limited his ability to sustain full training at times. The club will adopt a progressive plan for his summer work to reduce the chance of recurrence.
That phased return will include individual conditioning, targeted core and pelvic stability work, and gradual contact reintroduction with the squad. The objective is to ensure Gorrotxategi reaches full fitness without aggravating longstanding symptoms that have previously disrupted his continuity.
Impact on Pellegrino Matarazzo’s preseason planning and squad management
Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo faces a preseason where rotation and careful minutes management will be necessary as he prepares the squad for competitive demands. The absence or partial availability of four players affects depth in defense and right-side options, prompting a reliance on fit players and potential minutes for academy prospects.
The coaching staff will balance training intensity with the need to simulate match conditions, using controlled scrimmages and individualized programs to protect players returning from injury. Transfer or loan market activity could also be influenced if the club believes additional cover is required before the competitive season begins.
Rehabilitation approach and monitoring at the club
Real Sociedad’s medical team will use a combination of objective testing and clinical assessment to track each player’s progress, including strength symmetry tests, functional movement screens and incremental contact drills. Regular multidisciplinary meetings between coaches, physicians and physiotherapists will define readiness criteria for return-to-training and return-to-play.
Player welfare remains central to the process, with psychological support and load management plans forming part of each rehabilitation program. The club has emphasized that rushing returns would be counterproductive, particularly after ligament reconstruction and abdominal surgery where complications or relapses can prolong absence.
Real Sociedad faces the start of preseason with a measured approach to player availability, integrating returns as individual recovery permits and maintaining competitive preparation through adaptive training and squad rotation.
