Matarazzo faces debut opponents as Real Sociedad visit Atlético before Copa final | OneFootball

Real Sociedad visit the Metropolitano on Saturday at 18:30 for LaLiga EA Sports matchday 27, six weeks before their Copa del Rey final against Atlético, and in a reunion with Pellegrino Matarazzo's debut opponents.

AS notes the league fixture is being cast as a dress rehearsal for April's final. That first meeting on four January 2026 at Anoeta finished 1-1, with Alexander Sorloth and Gonçalo Guedes scoring.

Since that draw, the American has revived a side that had suffered a crisis of confidence under Sergio Francisco. His team went nine unbeaten, six wins and three draws across competitions. The surge lifted them to eighth on 35 points and secured a place in the Copa final in Sevilla.

Across 13 matches, his league return is four wins, three draws and one defeat. The victories came against Barcelona, Celta, Elche and Mallorca, the stalemates against Atlético, Athletic and Oviedo, with the sole loss to Real Madrid. Real collected 17 points before his arrival and 18 since, and in the Copa del Rey they progressed past Osasuna on penalties, Alavés and a two-legged semi-final with Athletic.

They head to Madrid aiming to extend two months of upward form. The Metropolitano contest now serves as a final tune-up before both clubs play for the trophy at La Cartuja on 18 April.

Source: AS