Matarazzo’s Impact Amid Valverde’s Most Challenging Times
This Sunday at 21:00 hours, the Basque derby will unfold at San Mamés, highlighting two contrasting trajectories. The Real Sociedad arrives in peak form, bolstered by the recent appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo as head coach. In stark contrast, Athletic Club faces a troubling crisis under Ernesto Valverde, raising questions about his future.
Matarazzo’s Impact on Real Sociedad
Pellegrino Matarazzo has reinvigorated Real Sociedad, steering the team away from a dismal period under Sergio Francisco. Since Matarazzo’s arrival, the team remains unbeaten in La Liga, securing significant victories against clubs like Atlético de Madrid, Getafe, Barcelona, and Celta. Furthermore, they triumphed in a penalty shootout against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey round of 16.
This remarkable turnaround has been unexpected for Matarazzo, who was relatively unknown in Spanish football and had not coached for over a year and a half. His early achievements have drawn comparisons to previous successful managers at the club, such as Toshack and Iriarte.
One of the Best Starts in History
Matarazzo’s tenure has been one of the most impressive starts for a new manager in the club’s history. He joins an elite group whose coaching debuts included five or more unbeaten matches. His performance earned him recognition as La Liga’s best coach for January.
Key players, including Álvaro Odriozola, have seen their form revived under Matarazzo’s guidance. The collective sentiment within the team reflects a renewed belief in their capabilities. According to Odriozola, Matarazzo’s tactical acumen has transformed their approach to the game.
Valverde’s Struggles at Athletic Club
Conversely, Ernesto Valverde finds himself in the most challenging phase of his second spell at Athletic Club. His team has accumulated only 24 points after 21 matches in La Liga, marking their second-lowest score during his time at the helm. This poor performance has raised alarms among fans and pundits alike.
- Current points: 24
- Worst score after 21 matches: 23 points in 2014-15
- Last six matches: 1 point out of 15
The team’s current form is significantly worse compared to his previous seasons, where they had 32, 41, and 40 points respectively at this stage. Athletic has struggled recently, securing only a single point from their last five matches, causing discontent among supporters.
Support for Valverde Remains
Despite the criticism, Valverde maintains the backing of his players and the club’s management. Captain Iñaki Williams recently defended him, stating the team is fully committed to Valverde, who guided them to noteworthy achievements previously. He emphasized that such criticism feels unwarranted given their past successes together.
The contrasting fortunes of Matarazzo and Valverde present a compelling narrative for this weekend’s derby, showcasing how pivotal coaching changes can reshape the destiny of a team.
