Martin Zubimendi is one of the quickest risers in La Liga.
He got into Real Sociedad’s first team after the COVID break, substituting for injured Asier Illarramendi, and has become a key player in a very short time.
In this tactical analysis and Martin Zubimendi scout report, we will see how he plays and why he’s so important for Real Sociedad’s tactics.
An academy product, Zubimendi has played with Real Sociedad at all youth levels, being coached in the B team by Xabi Alonso and also playing for Spain at U17, U19 and U21 levels.
With his team currently sitting on top of La Liga and Spain’s midfield getting older, it won’t be long until he makes his senior debut with the national team.
Martín Zubímendí Scout Report
Zubimendi is a right-footed defensive midfielder who usually plays as the central defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.
As we will see in this tactical analysis, that’s the position that suits him better and the one in which he can contribute more to his team tactics.
He stands at 181cm but is well-built, strong and with fantastic stamina.
His pace and mobility are just average but they are good enough for the position and don’t limit his game.
He’s coordinated enough to escape pressure and uses both feet to control and pass the ball.
In Real Sociedad’s tactics, Zubimendi covers all the central areas from his own box to the opponent’s final third, advancing as his team advances but usually positioned behind the ball.
He rarely makes runs from the second line or touches the ball in the final third, preferring to stay deep, cover the defensive line and be a safe option to move the ball from side to side.
He usually plays alongside Mikel Merino and David Silva in midfield, both of them much more offensive-minded, so Zubimendi’s role is to balance their movements and provide balance to his team both on and off the ball.
Martín Zubímendí Heat Map
In the heatmap below, we can see how Zubimendi covers lots of ground but doesn’t appear in the final third.
This doesn’t mean he’s technically limited or a purely defensive player, but his offensive contributions lay more on distributing and moving the ball quickly than on assisting or scoring by himself.
Martin Zubimendi Role in the buildup
When Real Sociedad build from the back, Zubimendi usually stays in central positions and behind the first pressing line.
Differently to other defensive midfielders, he doesn’t usually step between the centre-backs to form a back-three, preferring to attract the attention of the rivals and generate spaces.
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