TAKEFUSA KUBO NEWS

Effective in loss Kubo assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Villarreal.

Impact Kubo had a solid outing Sunday, assisting once with three key passes and a tackle one. This was his first appearance on the scoresheet since the opening match, with the midfielder maintaining a rotational role for Real Sociedad.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Named on bench Kubo (ankle) is named on the bench for Saturday's derby against Athletic.

Impact Kubo returned to the bench after recovering from an ankle injury. Kubo had been dealing with the issue since September and played two matches through pain before being left out of the starting lineup in subsequent games. so it is not a surprise that he among the substitutes as the team takes a cautious approach, with his starting role in the coming weeks likely depending on how well he puts the injury behind him.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Back available for derby Kubo (ankle) is back available for Saturday's derby against Athletic, the club posted.

Impact Kubo has fully recovered from his ankle injury and is back available for Saturday's Basques derby against Athletic. The forward missed the last two games and didn't start the two games prior to his injury, suggesting he might not return to a starting role just yet, as he is now facing the competition of Goncalo Guedes.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers ankle injury Kubo missed Sunday's 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo due to an ankle injury, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Impact Kubo couldn't make the match squad for Sunday's clash against the Celeste due to an ankle injury. The Japanese is going through a difficult phase dealing with injuries and losing his starting role in the last two games. He will hope to return fit soon to compete for his spot on the right flank that Goncalo Guedes is expected to keep until he is fully back.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Mixed start of season Kubo started the season with a goal in the opener and has been a regular starter before holding a bench role in the last two games for Real Sociedad.

Impact Kubo started the season well, scoring in the opener against Valencia and starting in five of the first six games. The Japanese winger, however, hasn't contributed to any goals since and seems to have lost his starting role on the right wing to newcomer Goncalo Guedes in the last two matches. Kubo recorded 10 shots, 10 chances created, and 20 crosses along with 12 corners in eight appearances, which are decent numbers on paper but not enough to convince new coach Sergio Francisco to start him in the last two outings. Kubo will hope to be more efficient after the international break if he wants to reclaim his role for the Basques.

OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Yamal enters game in the 58th minute with an assist in the 59th as Barcelona beats Real Sociedad

Lamine Yamal needed only a minute to make an impact in his return to action after an injury

SEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Strong all-around showing Kubo recorded two shots (one on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and seven corners in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Oviedo.

Impact Even though he didn't log a goal or assist, the activity level for Kubo was encouraging. He'll need to have similar volume if Real Sociedad want to take points off Real Madrid after the international break on Sept. 13.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Clinical finish to pull level Kubo scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Valencia.

Impact Kubo's right-footed shot from the top of the box in the second half Saturday found the bottom corner and leveled the match at one as Real Sociedad earned a share of the spoils in their 1-1 draw versus Valencia. In addition to his goal the forward contributed one tackle (one won) and two interceptions to the team's defensive effort. The goal is a promising start to the campaign after Kubo managed five goals - his least in a single La Liga campaign since the 21/22 season with Mallorca - across 36 appearances (27) starts) in the 24/2/5 La Liga campaign.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Goal contribution numbers halved Kubo started in 27 of his 36 appearances while recording five goals on 43 shots in La Liga.

Impact Kubo would take a bit of a step back compared to his 2023/24 campaign, despite seeing around 200 minutes more, seeing much less success in his attacking role. He would only record five goal contributions, half of the 11 he saw during the previous season. However, this could be blamed on his positioning after he spent more time on the right flank of the midfield rather than the attack, like the 2023/24 campaign. He would face a tough spell to end the season that won't help his case, having gone without a goal contribution for 14 games. The attacker should still maintain a starting role after inking an extension in 2024, although he will hope to return to the levels he was seeing during his first two campaigns with Sociedad.

JUNE 11 • ROTOWIRE

Plenty of service in loss Kubo had six crosses and three corner kicks in Tuesday's 1-0 to Celta Vigo.

Impact Kubo only created one chance with his efforts, a general trend for Sociedad on the day offensively. The attacker should have more success next week against Girona, as the side has conceded 53 times in league play.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Two shots and crosses Kubo had two shots (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Athletic.

Impact Between March and April, Kubo logged nine shots, but none of them were on goal. This means that with Kubo's lone shot on goal Sunday, he recorded his first on-target shot since February. In terms of crosses, Sunday marked the third time in four games for which he logged multiple.

MAY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Takes two shots in loss Kubo generated two shots (zero on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Wednesday's 1-0 loss versus Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Kubo co-led Sociedad in shots during the match, but it wasn't enough to avoid the road loss. The midfielder had a pretty quiet outing stat-wise other than that. He logged his 31st start in 42 overall appearances in 2024-25, with seven goals and two assists.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Seven crosses in loss Kubo registered three shots (zero on goal), seven crosses (three accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Mallorca.

Impact Kubo led Real Sociedad with seven crosses delivered and four chances created in the match. However, none of these chances resulted in goals as they were left goalless in the loss.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension cleared Kubo completed his one-match suspension and will be eligible to face Sevilla on Sunday.

Impact Kubo missed Sunday's 4-0 loss against Barcelona due to suspension and is now in contention with Sheraldo Becker to be in the starting squad on Sunday.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Set for suspension Kubo will serve a one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards.

Impact Kubo accumulated five yellow cards in La Liga and will be suspended for Sunday's match against Barcelona. Ander Barrenetxea is expected to start in his place on the right wing.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Five cross in defeat Kubo had two shots (zero on goal), five crosses (four accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 3-0 loss to Getafe. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 95th minute.

Impact Kubo was successful with four crosses from his five attempts as his side suffered a heavy defeat. In total, he created seven chances, but this was not enough to help his side score. Before this game he hadn't created more than four chances in a game.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Attempts to carry team Kubo had one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Valencia.

Impact Kubo was deployed as a super sub against Valencia on Sunday, and the tactic was nearly successful. In 28 minutes played, he was more effective than anyone else in Sociedad's attack. He completed three of his six dribbles, had two touches in the opposition's box, and completed his only long ball pass of the match. Kubo has been one of Sociedad's best players this season, and they will need him to be so once again this Thursday against Lazio.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Nets goal Kubo scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Monday's 1-0 win against Villarreal.

Impact Kubo recorded the only goal in the match Monday to give Real Sociedad the win. It was his first league goal since Nov 3, giving him four on the season. Despite not scoring much, the winger does contribute to the attack with an average of 2.1 crosses per contest, while also creating 34 chances in 19 league appearances.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Whips in four crosses Kubo crossed four times inaccurately and made five tackles (winning three) during Sunday's 2-0 win over Betis.

Impact Kubo was held off the scoresheet, but led Sociedad with four crosses during the victory. The attacker has combined for three shots, four chances created and seven crosses over his last three La Liga starts.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Terrorizes opposing defenders Kubo registered two shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and three chances created in Sunday's 1-0 win over Barcelona.

Impact Kubo put in a stellar display for Sociedad in their 1-0 victory over Barcelona. Though he did not register a goal or assist, Kubo did manage two shots (one on target, one blocked), created three chances which was tied for the most of any player in the match, and successfully completed all three of his dribbles. Kubo has just three goals on the season, but hopefully his impressive performance on Saturday can help him get back on track when Sociedad battle Jove Espanol on Thursday, November 21.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring in victory Kubo scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and three chances created in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Sevilla.

Impact Kubo cut into the box and unleashed a curling left-footed effort Sunday to open the scoring for Real Sociedad in their 2-0 victory over Sevilla. The goal was his third of the La Liga season over 12 appearances (eight starts). In addition to his offensive output, Kubo also added two tackles (one won) and an interception to the team's clean sheet effort. The veteran forward is on pace to equal his career-best mark of nine goals in a single domestic season which he achieved during the 2022/2023 La Liga campaign - his first with Real Sociedad.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Active display in draw Kubo had three shots (one on target), created one chance, sent in four crosses (two accurate) and suffered three fouls during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Kubo was one of his team's biggest threats, always finding a way to generate danger from the right flank as his mix of speed and skill just drove defenders crazy. After a quiet start of campaign, the attacker played a little bit better over the last two league outings, something that could help him become a full-time starter.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bags goal vs. Valencia Kubo scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-0 victory against Valencia.

Impact The Japanese winger only needed eight minutes to break the deadlock in this convincing win, as he took advantage of a low cross from Sergio Gomez to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili from close range. Kubo hasn't been as good as he was in 2023/24, but a return to form would do wonders for Real Sociedad, who need him to be as decisive as possible in the final third.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Active as set-piece taker Kubo had one shot (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and five corners in Tuesday's 1-0 loss against Mallorca.

Impact Kubo generated quite a lot of danger as a set-piece threat and his crosses often complicated the opposing defense. However, he lacked the end product and couldn't provide the spark Real Sociedad needed to escape with something out of this match. Kubo should remain one of Sociedad's most dangerous players Saturday at Valladolid.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores winner as sub Kubo scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Espanyol.

Impact Kubo subbed on in the second half and scored the game-winner in the 80th minute with his first goal in the campaign. The forward came off the bench after starting in the season debut. He will now look to reclaim his spot in the squad.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE