Matarazzo Anticipates a Challenging Clash Against Barcelona

Pellegrino Matarazzo is clear that Real Sociedad must deliver their best performance on Sunday if they hope to secure a victory against Barcelona. He is eager to experience the match not only to gauge the team’s current level but also to engage in the festive atmosphere expected just hours before the San Sebastián celebrations.

In the press conference, the first question addressed Óskarsson’s return to injury and whether there is a need to seek a new forward in the transfer market. “Orri is improving, but he has a slight injury and won’t be available for the match against Barcelona. However, I hope he will be ready for the game against Celta. He played a limited amount last time but had a significant impact by participating in the goal play. I look forward to seeing him on the field more. The market is still open, but I am pleased with the team’s progress.”

Despite the fatigue from playing extra time on Tuesday, Matarazzo believes there is sufficient rest for the players to prepare adequately for the Barcelona match. “We considered this with yesterday’s day off, and today we have not overexerted some players. You need 48 hours to recover, and we have managed that, so we will have no issues entering the game against Barcelona.”

Thus far, Matarazzo has not suffered a defeat since arriving in San Sebastián, which undoubtedly contributes to the team’s confidence. “Absolutely, the players can perform with much more confidence, but it is vital to reconnect, this time with the spirit of the city. We know the strength of Barcelona; if we want to win, we must perform at our best in all phases of the match, controlling their strengths, attacking spaces, progressing well, and executing everything with high quality.”

The forthcoming tamborrada festivities will undoubtedly enhance the atmosphere in the stands. “I am excited and eager to feel that energy. I have observed in recent days how significant the tamborrada is for the city, and if we can connect with that energy, it will serve as an advantage for us.”

When asked about his satisfaction with his early weeks at Real, Matarazzo replied, “The path is promising, but we are not where we want to be. Winning a couple of matches does not mean we shouldn’t strive for improvement. We aim to continue playing better and winning more games. I am delighted with the players’ development and the results, but as I mentioned, we want to keep enhancing our performance.”

He addressed the concern that Real often starts games on the back foot, recalling the 0-1 deficit against Atlético and 0-2 against Osasuna. “The first minutes against Osasuna were decent, but I am not satisfied with the first goal conceded; the 0-1 was a setback, and the 0-2 was unfortunate. We must recognize the importance of starting games strongly, as shifting momentum often requires considerable energy. We need to channel that energy into the early minutes to improve our performance.”

It was only natural to discuss Barcelona. “Barcelona represents history, titles, and a global brand. Few teams possess such worldwide projection and the aura that Barcelona carries. Historically, they played possession football, and under Flick, their style has shifted more towards transition, yet they continue to deliver high-quality play with a world-class youth academy. For us, it is an excellent opportunity to assess how good we are against top-tier teams.”

Many opponents often devise unique strategies against Barcelona. Has Real also planned something special? “Yes, of course. We are always aware of the rival’s strengths and weaknesses, and we prepare the team to play as effectively as possible. However, I won’t disclose specific players we might target for damage, but we have structured our approach based on our strengths, weaknesses, as well as those of the opponent.”