Matarazzo Reflects on Real Sociedad’s Victory Against Barcelona

Pellegrino Matarazzo acknowledged that Real Sociedad benefited from a combination of fortune, exceptional performances from players such as Álex Remiro, and effective execution in their victory against Barcelona.

In his initial analysis of the win, Matarazzo stated, “We maintained our focus for the entire 90 minutes, and the team’s performance was fantastic. There were moments during the match when we needed to defend, which is essential for securing a win. At times we created danger, while at others we had to endure pressure.”

When asked if he believes in luck, especially considering Barcelona hit the woodwork five times, he remarked, “Today we may have had some luck, although having a great goalkeeper is not luck. However, we did not have that fortune against Osasuna the other day, while today we were effective, unlike in that previous match.”

Matarazzo expressed concern about a potential significant muscle injury to Kubo and was questioned about Remiro, the standout player of the night. “I see how Remiro trains every day. He is an excellent goalkeeper, and I knew he could deliver the performance he did today. I am extremely pleased with him. I believe we could have won against Atlético in my first match. I am very satisfied with the results and the determination and heart of this team.”

The coach emphasized the strength of his team’s defense: “If possible, we like to press high; if not, we must defend in a lower block. We anticipated that we would have to endure some phases, but our goal in every match is to play with courage, and we did just that.”

The press conference of Flick largely revolved around the referee’s performance, which led to a question directed at Matarazzo. “To be honest, I do not wish to comment on the referee. I did not see the incidents closely enough, so sometimes it is difficult to determine if an offside was valid or not. I did not observe the actions well enough to make a reliable judgment.”