Pellegrino Matarazzo Confirms Real Sociedad's Readiness for Copa del Rey Final
Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo expressed confidence in his team's readiness ahead of their Copa del Rey final clash against Atlético Madrid on Saturday. The coach confirmed that duo Jon Gorrochategui and Mikel Oyarzabal have fully recovered and are ready to participate in the anticipated match, bolstering the team's options for this crucial fixture, which marks a significant turning point in the Basque club's season.
Matarazzo also hinted at the possibility of including Takefusa Kubo in the starting lineup, as the player has met the physical readiness criteria set by the technical staff. The coach stated, "Everything is possible, and Take is feeling very good. I have a general rule that a player must be able to play for 60 minutes to start, and Kubo can play 60 minutes."
Regarding the goalkeeper position, the head coach clarified that he has made his final decision and already informed the players. He noted that the identity of the starting goalkeeper would only be revealed to the fans on match day, stating, "I made the decision last week and informed the goalkeepers on the first day of training. They know it, and you will see the result tomorrow," to ensure the team maintains focus.
The coach emphasized the importance of managing pressure and maintaining a clear game plan when facing an experienced opponent. He considered his team to be experiencing positive pressure in what marks his first final as a head coach. Matarazzo commented, "We are excited; it's a positive pressure we feel," as the club aims to lift the trophy for the second time in five years, following their last triumph in 2021, after a successful run that saw them eliminate rivals Athletic Bilbao in earlier rounds.
This encounter comes amidst Real Sociedad's efforts to solidify their upward trajectory. Matarazzo took charge of the team when they were in 16th place in La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone. In the same vein, the Basque side faces a significant challenge against Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone, who boasts an impressive record of reaching 10 finals with his team, winning six different titles during that period.
