French defender Mamadou Sarr completed his first training session with Real Sociedad on Friday, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The session took place ahead of the La Liga match that will see the txuri urdin host RCD Espanyol in San Sebastián. Espanyol, sitting eighth with 3 points, visits a rival currently in 20th place in the table.
How did Sarr's first session go?
Mamadou Sarr, Real Sociedad's recent signing, trained with the main group at Zubieta. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo welcomed him alongside his teammates with the traditional 'pasillo de collejas' (slap tunnel) before starting. During the fifteen minutes open to the press, the centre-back showed good physical condition and stood out for his control with his right foot. He completed the entire routine at the same pace as the rest of the squad.
The player stayed close to Lebarbier, with whom he shares the French language. The session also confirmed the absence of Jon Karrikaburu, who was unable to train. His place was taken by the youth player Carrera. On the positive side, Gonçalo Guedes and Jon Gorrotxategi worked normally and are available for the match.
What context does Espanyol bring to the match?
RCD Espanyol faces its third match of the 2026-27 season. The periquito team has taken 3 points from its first two games, with one win and one loss. Their goal tally is 4 scored and 2 conceded, giving them a +2 difference. In the overall standings, they are 3 points behind the leaders, Barcelona.
The visit to Anoeta represents a significant challenge at the start of the campaign. The updated competition data, available on our standings page, shows a very tight table. A win would allow Espanyol to close in on the top positions. The team needs to consolidate its performance away from home.
How are both teams preparing?
Real Sociedad brings in Sarr to strengthen their defence, a line that has shown weaknesses at the start of the league. The Donostiarra club is seeking its first win of the season against an Espanyol side arriving with confidence after their latest result. Match planning is key for both managers.
Espanyol, for its part, must adjust its approach against a rival desperate for points. Information on the lineup and squad status can be checked on our squad page. Saturday's match on August 29th is an opportunity for both sides to take a step forward.
What is expected from the match at Anoeta?
The clash promises to be intense, with two teams needing points for different reasons. Real Sociedad, the hosts, want to get off the bottom of the table. Espanyol aims to stay in the upper half and close the gap with the leaders. Sarr's performance in his potential debut will be a factor to watch.
The league context adds interest to the fixture. With the full schedule available in our fixtures section, fans can follow their teams' progress. The match in San Sebastián is one of the highlights of the third matchday and could define early trends in the competition.
