Atletico Madrid prepare to visit Real Sociedad at Anoeta following two consecutive league defeats. Diego Simeone's side arrives at the September 13, 2026 fixture needing points after losses to Athletic Club and Liverpool. Currently, the rojiblancos sit seventh in La Liga with seven points from four games, according to verified club data. The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw at the Metropolitano on April 18, 2026, a result now serving as a reference for both coaches. In the Atletico camp, Alexander Sørloth remains sidelined with a muscle injury, with an expected return date of September 30, while on the Real Sociedad side, Álvaro Odriozola continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury, with no return date confirmed before late November. Atletico Madrid's starting XI against Liverpool last Tuesday featured Jan Oblak in goal, backed by a defense of Marcos Pubill, Cristian Romero, Dávid Hancko and Mario Hermoso, and a midfield where Rodrigo de Paul, Koke and Ángel Correa stood out. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad lined up in a 4-4-2 against Elche with Unai Marrero in goal and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack. The Basque coach has emphasized in press conferences the importance of controlling midfield against an opponent that, despite recent setbacks, maintains a solid transitional structure. Simeone, for his part, has stated the team must improve its effectiveness in the final third, especially after scoring just one goal in the last 180 minutes of official competition. The match will be officiated by a referee from the Technical Committee of Referees and will kick off at 8:00 PM local time at Anoeta stadium, traditionally a difficult venue for visitors. Atléticos fans expect a reaction from the team, particularly from players like Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo de Paul, who will need to assume greater creative responsibility in Sørloth's absence up front. The club has reminded supporters via official channels that the next league fixture after this one will be against Girona at the Metropolitano, a match that could mark a turning point if victory is achieved in San Sebastián. To check squad status and possible lineups, supporters can visit our squad section, while recent head-to-head history is available on stats. The fight for European places remains alive, and every point counts in a table where Barcelona leads with twelve points, five above the Madrid side. The upcoming challenge will be to prove that recent setbacks were an exception and not the start of a worrying trend.