Real Sociedad has successfully secured its place in the Copa del Rey final, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Basque rivals Athletic Club, which sealed a 2-0 aggregate win.
Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo shared his thoughts on the triumph at Anoeta, acknowledging that while his team might not have been at their absolute best, they delivered exactly what was needed to advance.
“I believe the first half wasn’t bad, although we lacked dynamism and precision in midfield, limiting our chances. Our defense, however, was solid throughout the entire match, which I consider crucial for reaching the final. We didn’t execute our plans perfectly in the second half, and the penalty certainly helped us in the end, but we performed well in other aspects and ultimately earned our place in the final. I am incredibly happy for the people and for the city. It’s a fantastic feeling to make it to the final,” Matarazzo expressed.
The decisive goal came from a penalty, expertly converted by Mikel Oyarzabal. Matarazzo praised the Real Sociedad captain for his invaluable contribution.
“Mikel is an exceptionally special captain because of everything he brings to the team. He leads in so many ways and does so with great humility. I’m delighted that he was the one to score the goal that propelled us to the final, but generally speaking, I am immensely proud of all these players. I’ve witnessed their outstanding performance over these past two months.”
Matarazzo: The Support From Fans Was Incredible
Matarazzo also spoke enthusiastically about the unwavering support from the Real Sociedad faithful, who acted as the “12th man” at Anoeta.
“Truthfully, the reception was incredible; I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. It felt as if the entire stadium was out on the street. During the final 100 meters, we walked, and I received an energy I hadn’t felt before. And the fans were absolutely on fire throughout the match. I’m thrilled that we could give them a final to celebrate, and we eagerly anticipate celebrating with them in Seville,” he shared.
Matarazzo Focused on Immediate Challenges, Not Just the Final
Real Sociedad is set to face Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final next month. However, Matarazzo is keeping his focus on the immediate future, starting with their upcoming league trip to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where they will again encounter Atletico Madrid.
“First, we play against Atlético in La Liga this Saturday. We’ll concentrate on that match first, then we have several other La Liga games before we shift our focus entirely to the Copa del Rey. For now, it’s time to savor this moment,” Matarazzo concluded.