Real Sociedad and Granada revealed their starting elevens for the fourth round clash in Spain’s top flight, with each side lining up in a battle to solidify early form. Arsen Zakharyan, the Russian midfielder who joined Real Sociedad from Dynamo Moscow in the 2023 summer window, remained among the substitutes as the coach pursued a fresh tactical balance for the match setup.
Real Sociedad set their lineup under the banner of True Sociedad, featuring Remiro in goal, Navarro, Le Norman, Subeldia, Traore across the backline, with Mendez and Merino shielding the midfield. Subimendi and Kubo provided creativity, while Oyarzabal and Barrenechea offered width and threat on the flanks, aiming to unlock Granada’s defense as the home team sought a steady tempo and controlled possession. The plan was to press high when Granada attempted to build play and to exploit quick transitions when opportunities arose, a typical approach for a club looking to balance ball retention with direct attacking intent.
Granada named a familiar XI, with Fernandez-Kavada and Diaz in the defensive line, Angel and Mikel in central roles, Neva anchoring the spine, and Rius offering width and pace on the left. Gumbau and Zaragoza controlled the engine room, while Callejon and Uzuni supplied creative spark and goal threat in attacking positions, supported by Boe who was tasked with contributing to the pressing game and adding another layer of attacking threat. The setup suggested a balanced approach, aiming to disrupt Real Sociedad through disciplined structure while offering counterattacking potential and switches of play to stretch the home defense.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 15.00 Moscow time at the Real Sociedad Stadium, and a live text broadcast will be provided online by socialbites.ca to keep followers up to date on every moment of the duel. This kind of coverage is particularly useful for fans in Canada and the United States who want real-time updates on a European league fixture without streaming delays or regional restrictions.
Last season, Zakharyan took part in 24 Russian Premier League matches, contributing four goals along with seven assists, helping Dynamo Moscow to finish in ninth place. His experience in the league has been a talking point for Real Sociedad as they assessed how his creativity and goal threat might fit into their evolving midfield dynamic. The transfer to Real Sociedad was confirmed on August 19, with the contract solidified through June 2029, signaling the club’s intention to invest in a longer-term project for the engine room and attacking transitions. Zakharyan’s debut for Real Sociedad came as a late substitute in the 75th minute against Las Palmas on August 25, marking the start of his journey to integrate into the Spanish top flight and contribute to the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competition.
In discussing his early days with the club, Zaharyan has previously addressed questions about nightlife with a practical, no-nonsense perspective, underscoring a focus on professional development and on-pitch performance rather than extraneous distractions. This attitude aligns with how Real Sociedad executives and supporters view his role in the squad’s long-term project, emphasizing growth, adaptability, and consistent improvement as the team aims to contend for top positions in La Liga and secure European qualification.