Yangel Herrera is expected to miss the derby and additional matches

San Sebastián is bracing for a La Liga derby week clouded by uncertainty around Yangel Herrera.

The Venezuelan midfielder is poised to miss next Saturday’s league meeting at Anoeta and could be sidelined beyond that, with today’s examinations confirming a muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg. What had initially been interpreted as a routine overload has become a genuine selection concern at a delicate point of the La Liga calendar, where small margins often decide big narratives.

Herrera’s early withdrawal against Sevilla after only thirty two minutes was the first warning sign. On the touchline there was no dramatic gesture, no obvious sprain, only the familiar look of a player who knows his body well and prefers not to risk making a manageable problem worse. Both the player and Sergio Francisco hoped it was precaution. The subsequent medical bulletin shifted the tone. When a club publishes a formal note, it usually means the issue requires structured follow up rather than just rest and light training.

The soleus is a deep calf muscle that plays a crucial role in repeated accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction. It is constantly active in football, especially for midfielders who shuttle between boxes and cover passing lanes. Even a modest strain can limit the explosive push required to win second balls or to arrive a fraction earlier to a loose pass. This is why teams tend to be conservative with return timelines for soleus problems. Bringing a player back too soon can lead to compensation patterns that trigger new issues higher up the chain, such as hamstring tightness or Achilles irritation.

Real Sociedad’s medical report was intentionally brief and non committal. It confirmed the muscle injury and stated that the player’s evolution will determine availability. That phrasing is common. It leaves room for day to day assessment while avoiding rigid forecasts that create unnecessary pressure. In practical terms, the staff will likely monitor swelling and soreness in the first forty eight to seventy two hours, introduce gentle range of motion and isometric work once pain subsides, then progress to controlled running on grass before ball work and position specific drills. The key milestone is not the first jog but the moment Herrera can execute repeated short sprints and match like changes of direction without reaction the next day.

From a football perspective, this setback touches several layers of Real’s structure. Herrera’s profile blends ball winning with verticality. He is comfortable stepping into pressing triggers, pinching the passing lane into the pivot, and then immediately offering a forward option once possession is regained. Losing that two way presence can subtly alter the way the team compresses space. Without him, the midfield may need to sit a fraction deeper to avoid being stretched, or the wide players may be asked to tuck in earlier to protect the inside channels. Either tweak has a ripple effect on rest defense and counterpressure after lost balls.

The derby context raises the stakes. These matches usually tilt on intensity, second phase control, and the speed of the first pass after a regain. Herrera is adept at turning a fifty fifty into a sixty forty by arriving on time and using his body smartly. Replacing that knack is less about a like for like swap and more about redistributing tasks. One option is to pair a ball secure organizer with a runner who can make late arrivals into the box, accepting that the press will be slightly less direct but ball circulation will be safer. Another route is to keep the pressing edge by selecting a midfielder whose primary value is defensive coverage, then leaning on the front line to carry more of the progression load. Both choices are valid. The decision will come down to match plan and how Sergio Francisco wants to control the middle third.

Tempo management will be central without Herrera. Real can still dominate through clean first touches and quick angle changes, but the timing of third man combinations may need to be simplified. Set pieces also gain importance when a high energy ball winner is missing. Defensive restarts must be spotless, with clear assignments on blockers and zonal lines, while attacking corners and free kicks become an avenue to create chances without overextending the midfield in open play.

Psychologically, the group will take cues from the staff’s communication. Calling the injury what it is, setting internal checkpoints rather than public promises, and emphasizing the depth of the squad all help keep focus on the next ninety minutes rather than on who is unavailable. Herrera’s own professionalism is an asset here. Players watch how an injured teammate handles the process. His presence around the group, even while rehabbing, can steady the mood in a week that already carries extra emotional charge.

There is no silver lining in losing an influential midfielder, but there is opportunity for others to assert themselves. Derby matches often mint new reference points for a season. A replacement who wins an early duel, a midfielder who dictates rhythm for fifteen key minutes, or a wide player who tracks back decisively at a pivotal moment can shift momentum in ways that outlast a single afternoon. The staff’s job is to create a clear script that reduces uncertainty for whoever steps in, so that individual qualities are expressed within collective stability.

For now, the plan is simple. Support Herrera’s recovery with patience and precision. Adjust the midfield responsibilities to maintain control of the central lanes. Keep the team’s identity intact while trimming risk in the specific phases where the Venezuelan usually adds security. If Real emerge from the derby with points and a performance that looks repeatable, the short term pain will be contained and Herrera can return to a structure that has not lost its thread in his absence.

Official club statement for reference:

Player Yangel Herrera left last night’s match against Sevilla FC due to discomfort in the soleus muscle of his right leg. Tests performed by the club’s Medical Services confirm a muscle injury. His progress will determine his availability.