Mamadou Sarr and Abdoulaye Faye set for potential Senegalese duel in La Liga

Mamadou Sarr could make his long-awaited Real Sociedad debut when they host Celta Vigo on Thursday, with the match also offering the possibility of a meeting with fellow Senegalese defender Abdoulaye Faye.

The fixture is the rescheduled sixth round of La Liga matches and could bring the two young defenders together on the pitch as they continue their careers in Spain.

Sarr joined Real Sociedad from Chelsea during the summer on a season-long loan deal that does not include an option to buy. However, the former Strasbourg captain is still waiting for his first competitive appearance for the Basque club.

The 21-year-old was included in the squad for Real Sociedad’s third league match against Espanyol, which ended in a 2-1 victory, but remained an unused substitute.

He has again been named in the squad for the home meeting with Celta Vigo, leaving him with another opportunity to make his first appearance for his new club.

Faye, meanwhile, is beginning his season with Celta Vigo after spending the previous campaign at Lorient. The Senegalese defender came through the Diambars youth academy and has already been given some playing time by his new side.

Faye began the campaign on the substitutes’ bench for Celta Vigo’s first two matches. He was not part of the starting line-up against Osasuna, a match Celta lost 2-1, and also started on the bench against Valencia in a game that finished 0-0.

His first start came during the third matchday when Celta Vigo faced Athletic Bilbao. Faye was selected from the beginning of the match, although he was replaced shortly after half-time by Yoel Lago during the 2-0 defeat.

The Senegalese defender could now return to the field when Celta Vigo travel to Real Sociedad for Thursday’s fixture.

For Sarr, the immediate objective remains making his official debut for Real Sociedad. Despite being included in the squad previously, he has yet to feature for the Spanish club since arriving from Chelsea.

That leaves the possibility of an interesting meeting between two Senegalese defenders who are now competing in La Liga.

Faye has already made his first start for Celta Vigo, while Sarr continues to wait for his first minutes in a Real Sociedad shirt. Thursday’s match could therefore provide an opportunity for the two players to share the pitch as their respective Spanish journeys continue.

The fixture carries an additional point of interest for Senegalese football, with both defenders now looking to establish themselves in a new league and earn more opportunities with their clubs.