Matarazzo puts points and confidence ahead of the standings

“Sixth if we win? Right now, picking up points, building confidence and improving our play matter more than our position in the table,” Pellegrino Matarazzo said. The Real Sociedad coach is not making sixth place a priority, even though his side could return to that spot for the first time in 29 months by beating Deportivo de La Coruña on Sunday, provided Alavés do not overcome Atlético de Madrid. For him, the position that matters is the one at the end of LaLiga.

Matarazzo believes his players are ready to return to competition after the lengthy international break. “It has been a long time without football since the last match, although we had the test of the game against Athletic. The players who were away with their national teams have come back in good shape, and today I feel everyone is ready to return to competition,” he said.

He also gave an update on his squad: Héctor completed his first full training session and is an option for the squad, though it remains to be seen whether he can play for an extended period. Zubeldia is ready, while Aramburu will have to stop for a while after a problem with a soleus muscle. Matarazzo said there were several options to replace him but would reveal his decision the following day.

The coach warned against treating his opponent as an ordinary promoted side: Dépor made good signings over the summer and beat Villarreal. His focus, then, is on earning points and improving his team’s play rather than dwelling on a temporary place in the table.