Matarazzo rages at Real Sociedad’s defensive complacency after 3-4 collapse to Valencia | OneFootball

Pellegrino Matarazzo erupted after Real Sociedad’s 3-4 defeat to Valencia at Anoeta, calling it his angriest night in charge and admitting the psychological hit. His side conceded twice in stoppage time despite playing against ten for around half an hour following Cömert’s dismissal, overshadowing Aritz Elustondo’s farewell.

As reported by AS, the American coach blamed a lack of intensity rather than tactics, with La Real now owning the league’s worst defensive record on 60 conceded. That regression has come despite Jon Martín’s standout season, the centre-back included in Luis de la Fuente’s 55-man preliminary list for the World Cup.

Questioned on constant changes at the back, Matarazzo rejected structural faults. He said goals arriving in phases the team had drilled were about application, not design, insisting the issue is intensity and it must improve.

He accepted the team have struggled to refocus after winning the Copa del Rey, with seven league matches without a win and some players mindful of the summer World Cup or their futures. Even so, he demanded higher standards next season and a hard reset from day one of pre-season, noting recent attitudes that displeased him.

His conclusions will shape a summer rebuild of the defence after Elustondo’s departure following more than a decade. Loanee Caleta-Car is not expected to stay and will return to Lyon, Pacheco will come back from his loan, and Luken Beitia’s situation will be assessed.

After a light activation session on Monday, the squad will rest on Tuesday and Wednesday before travelling to Barcelona to finish the season against Espanyol, under pressure to repair their image.

Source: AS