Real Sociedad and Celta named their starting XIs for their LaLiga EA Sports meeting at Anoeta on 03 September 2026, and the most eye-catching line in the sheet belonged to Antañón. Giráldez handed him a debut start for Celta, while Matarazzo was left to follow the match from the stands because of suspension.
That made the 4th matchday feel like more than a routine lineup release. Real Sociedad sent out Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Sergio Gómez, Yangel Herrera, Turrientes, Kubo, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal and Oskarsson, while Celta answered with Radu, Álvaro Nuñez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rueda, Moriba, Miguel Román, Carreira, Antañón, Swedberg and Jutglá. Oyarzabal and Aspas were the names being searched for, but the first real turn came with Antañón's inclusion among the 11 starters.
The details around Celta added more weight to the decision. Borja Iglesias was out, Febas was missing through injury, and Matarazzo also had to leave Odriozola and Marín out. Before kickoff, he said Héctor Fort and Sarr were in the squad and could get minutes, and he added that he was pleased with the players brought in and with the squad he already had. The message was clear: Celta had enough pieces to compete, but they were arriving at Anoeta with holes and with their coach unable to manage the game in person.
Giráldez tried to frame that challenge without hiding it. He called Real Sociedad a very good side, said it is difficult to win at Anoeta, and pointed back to last season's visit, when Celta lost there even after a strong first half. That is the part that gives this lineup release its edge: it was not just who started, but who had to start with a debut on the road, against a home team built around Oyarzabal and Oskarsson, while the man in charge could only watch from above. The next answer would come on the pitch, where Antañón's first start either became a springboard or just the opening note of a harder night.
