The 48-year-old has overseen four victories and one draw in his five games in charge.
Real Sociedad’s season has completely turned around since the club made a coaching change at the end of December. Under Pellegrino Matarazzo, the new coach, La Real have played five matches and remain undefeated, having won four times and drawn once. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
The quality of the opposition makes the run especially impressive, given that the Basque outfit have defeated league leaders FC Barcelona 2-1 and drawn 1-1 with Atlético de Madrid during this stretch. Even their most recent result, a 3-1 victory over RC Celta, came with the team playing the entire second half with just 10 men. But, there’s something different about this Real Sociedad team.
A super start for Pellegrino Matarazzo
Real Sociedad have taken 10 points from a possible 12 under Matarazzo. After drawing with Atlético de Madrid 1-1 in his debut, they have then defeated Getafe CF 2-1, beaten FC Barcelona by the same scoreline and overcome RC Celta 3-1. In between, the Basque side also progressed in the Copa del Rey, winning 4-3 on penalties against CA Osasuna after a 2-2 draw.
It is a quite incredible run of form, and the team from San Sebastián have soared up the table under the American coach. When he arrived they were 16th. Now, they’re eighth and just five points off the European qualification positions.
He is getting the best out of this squad and, in particular, out of captain Mikel Oyarzabal. The 28-year-old has scored three goals in his past two matches, and looks revitalised in the team’s forward line. Although the coach wants to credit the entire squad, he did praise the captain after Oyarzabal netted twice against RC Celta.
In the words of Matarazzo: “The whole team’s performance should be highlighted, not just Mikel’s, but he is indeed a special player and has played fantastically. I knew a bit about him before I came here, but I didn’t realise how important his role as a leader in the dressing room was. He is the leader, he knows football and he knows how to connect with everyone. I am very grateful to have him on this team and I enjoy having him here.”
Next up is a BASQUE DERBY
There have already been tough tests for Matarazzo since his appointment at the end of December, but now comes a BASQUE DERBY away at Athletic Club. Although the team from Bilbao are in poor form, anything can happen in a derby.
Real Sociedad know that very well, considering they won the first meeting this season even though they weren’t playing well at the time. That 3-2 victory against their rivals was one of just four league wins achieved under former coach Sergio Francisco.
Now, La Real will now seek to complete a double over their rivals. Not since 2018/19 have La Real beaten their neighbours in both league matches in a single season. And they’ve lost four in a row at San Mamés. However, with the new-found confidence from Matarazzo’s first few weeks, Real Sociedad will travel to Bilbao full of confidence.
