Real Sociedad’s Strong January Performance Under Matarazzo

omidbasir- Real Sociedad has achieved an impressive tally of 10 points out of a possible 12 in January, ranking them as the second-best team in LaLiga, only behind Real Madrid, who completed a perfect month. This performance comes as they await Girona’s match against Getafe. Since the arrival of coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, the txuriurdin squad has demonstrated form worthy of a Champions League berth, and they have also secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.

Matarazzo’s debut in LaLiga was challenging, facing a formidable Atlético de Madrid at Anoeta. However, Real Sociedad managed to secure a draw, a match that could have easily turned into a victory, given their 18 attempts on goal, eight of which were on target, compared to the ten from their opponents.

Following this, they faced a tough away match against Getafe. Once again, the team missed several opportunities and nearly paid the price when the hosts equalized at 90 minutes. Yet, in a thrilling conclusion, Jon Mikel Aramburu scored the decisive goal, leading to a 2-1 victory and marking Matarazzo’s first win in the league.

The third encounter for Matarazzo in LaLiga proved equally challenging, as they matched up against Barcelona. Despite the opposition hitting the woodwork five times and Álex Remiro’s exceptional performance, goals from Oyarzabal and Guedes secured a 2-1 victory.

The recent win against Celta, notable for the team’s resilience while playing with ten men in the second half, marks their third consecutive victory, allowing them to amass 10 points in January. This performance only trails Real Madrid’s perfect record, with Girona potentially matching it depending on tonight’s outcome against Getafe.

Importantly, beyond being the second or third-best team in January, Real Sociedad’s players have regained their confidence. In this challenging segment of LaLiga, they have significantly closed the gap with teams positioned above them. Matarazzo’s squad has earned nine more points than Espanyol and Athletic, eight more than Elche, six more than Betis, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, four more than Villarreal, and three more than Atlético and Osasuna. Transitioning from just two points above the relegation zone, they now enjoy a six-point cushion and have reduced the gap to European qualification from 11 points to just five.